Sergei Bobrovsky delivered a remarkable save that ignited the Florida Panthers’ playoff victory, as reported by Jim Cerny on April 24, 2024, during the Eastern Conference First Round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In Game 2, Bobrovsky made a sensational, acrobatic save late in the second period, contributing significantly to the Panthers’ 3-2 overtime win at home. Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov expressed his awe at the save, emphasizing its impact on the game.
The save came about because Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, found himself momentarily out of position. After Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour blocked a shot, the puck ended up with Nikita Kucherov, who passed it to Matt Dumba for a close-range attempt. Despite the challenging situation, Bobrovsky spun around with his back to the play, extended his glove hand, and made the jaw-dropping save.
Bobrovsky’s heroics were especially crucial as they came at 14:03 after the Lightning had already scored twice, tying the game at two apiece. This clutch save set the stage for an intense goaltending battle between Bobrovsky and Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Ultimately, Carter Verhaeghe’s overtime goal secured the Panthers’ victory, with Bobrovsky finishing the game with 21 saves. Vasilevskiy, despite making 34 saves, couldn’t prevent the Panthers from taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Lightning coach Jon Cooper praised both goalies for their outstanding performance on the playoff stage.
