Bobrovsky Makes 32 Saves As The Panthers Shut Out The Oilers 3-0 In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Final

SUNRISE, Florida – Sergei Bobrovsky turned the puck over on his opening shift and recovered. He lost his stick for 30 seconds at one point but continued to make saves. Connor McDavid attempted six shots on goal, but none went in.

Bobrovsky delivered a masterclass against McDavid and any other player who dared to challenge him, and his teammates pounced when given the opportunity. As a result, the Florida Panthers have a strong start in the Stanley Cup Final.

Bobrovsky | AP News Image

Bobrovsky Makes 32 Saves As The Panthers Shut Out The Oilers 3-0 In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Final

The Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Saturday night in Game 1 of the NHL’s best-of-seven championship series, thanks to goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues. The goalie, “Bob,” was unbeatable, stopping all 32 shots he faced from every angle and situation.

“It’s fun to play those guys, those elite guys and it’s a fun atmosphere,” Bobrovsky stated. “I am just alive for the opportunity, and I enjoy every second of it.”

Chants of “Bobby! Bobby!” rang out as Bobrovsky turned away multiple breakaways, stopped McDavid when the reigning and three-time MVP went into turbo gear, and flew all around and outside the crease to make Florida’s net an impenetrable fortress.

Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner for outstanding regular-season play, recorded his second shutout of this season and third in the playoffs in his 14-year career. Thanks to him, the Panthers have a lead in the Cup final for the first time in team history, and they are now three wins away from lifting hockey’s coveted trophy for the first time.

It didn’t matter that they were outshot by 32 to 18. Florida, back in the finals for the second consecutive season and healthier and more prepared for the moment than in the five-game loss to Vegas a year ago, demonstrated that experience on this stage matters, handling pressure and difficult moments throughout as if the majority of its players had been here previously.

“We kind of know what it takes this year,” Verhaeghe explained. “We understand how difficult it is, the ups and downs of the playoffs, and the grind of it. I believe that makes us better prepared this year.”

Bobrovsky | AP News Image

Bobrovsky Makes 32 Saves As The Panthers Shut Out The Oilers 3-0 In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Final

Verhaeghe and Rodrigues scored on the first five shots on goal against Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner, who was left out to dry due to a poor backcheck and a lost puck race. Skinner, who has had his ups and downs this postseason and whose performance appeared to be the most uncertain in the series, was hardly to fault for either.

“Lots to like,” McDavid remarked. “We didn’t give up too much, (but) what we did give up was dangerous.”

Edmonton dominated the game 5 on 5, extending its penalty kill run to 30, and its power play did almost everything right except score. Despite this, the Oilers lag behind the core group, led by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s first appearance in the final.

“We know we’ll have to improve even more,” coach Kris Knoblauch said. “There are things we’re going to have to look at and try to increase those chances.”

It’s a series with the greatest distance between teams competing for the Cup, surpassing the previous mark set by Boston and Vancouver in 2011. The trophy was brought onto the ice before puck drop, the same way the league highlighted it in the empty bleachers in Edmonton four years ago when the playoffs were held in temporary bubbles.

“Wasn’t really expecting that,” Rodrigues said of the NHL’s first Cup ceremony on ice before the final since the 1960s. “That gave me a few chills and was a really great moment. It was a wonderful touch, I won’t lie.”

Bobrovsky | AP News Image

Bobrovsky Makes 32 Saves As The Panthers Shut Out The Oilers 3-0 In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Final

This was the polar opposite of the more recent strangely calm image from 2020, with a sellout crowd of 19,543 screaming fans ready for the sixth consecutive final starring a Florida club. While Canada has had 20 playoff games in the last 20 seasons, this was Florida’s 22nd.

Another is scheduled for Monday when these teams meet for Game 2.

“It’s a long series,” Bobrovsky explained. “We’re going to reset, refocus and get ready for the next fight.”

SOURCE – (AP)