This week`s Friday Four segment looks at intriguing player storylines from around the NHL, including:
- Bobrovsky has found his game
- Nurse puts last year’s tough post-season behind him
- Svechnikov supplying the offence Hurricanes have been searching for
- Heiskanen’s return could make Stars team to beat
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
Beginning midway through Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sergei Bobrovsky elevated his performance dramatically. After a less than stellar start in the first two and a half games of the series, his play became incredibly tight. Following John Tavares` power-play goal early in the second period of Game 3, Bobrovsky has been nearly unbeatable, conceding only two goals over a span of almost 160 minutes (a weird bounce off a defender and a late garbage-time tally). It`s no mere coincidence that the Panthers rediscovered their dynamic play and confidence as Bobrovsky entered lockdown mode.
Lapses in form like Bobrovsky`s early series struggles have been rare exceptions in his career. He`s building a solid Hall of Fame case with two Vezina Trophies, and if he continues for a couple more seasons, he could very well reach the top five in all-time wins. However, his exceptional playoff performances warrant discussing his place among the most clutch goaltenders ever. While perhaps not yet in the absolute top tier, Bobrovsky is certainly making a strong argument for inclusion based on his postseason heroics.
Looking at his overall playoff statistics, Bobrovsky`s numbers might not immediately jump out when compared to legends. He currently ranks 22nd in playoff wins, significantly behind Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. His five shutouts are comparable to peers like Ben Bishop or Petr Mrazek. To truly appreciate Bobrovsky`s greatness, one needs to examine the details more closely.
Crucially, Bobrovsky has delivered his most impressive performances later in his career, at an age when many goalies are struggling to remain competitive. Turning 37 in September, he`s coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance last year and potentially another one this season. This is a substantial amount of high-pressure playoff hockey for a player his age, and he shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, with 47 wins after age 30, Bobrovsky ranks fifth all-time in playoff victories in that age bracket.
Bobrovsky also has a proven ability to raise his game as a series progresses and the stakes increase. Since joining the Panthers, his save percentage improves from .903 in Games 1-4 to a remarkable .913 in Games 5-7. Furthermore, he boasts an outstanding record in overtime, going 10-2 in the extra frame since the start of the 2022-23 playoffs, including a perfect 7-0 run in overtime during Florida`s deep run two years ago.
It`s also important to remember Bobrovsky was the backbone of two of the most significant upsets in recent playoff memory. He backstopped the Panthers` incredible comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Bruins two postseasons ago. The Bruins had a dominant 135-point season and won the Presidents` Trophy, finishing a massive 43 points ahead of Florida. That stunning upset transformed the Panthers from a bubble playoff team into a true contender.
Prior to that, he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018-19 when they swept the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay had also won the Presidents` Trophy with 128 points and a staggering +103 goal differential. Bobrovsky completely neutralized Tampa`s explosive offense, allowing a mere eight goals throughout the entire four-game series.
Following that impressive performance against Tampa, Bobrovsky signed a substantial seven-year, $70-million contract with the Panthers. Many observers were skeptical of such a large commitment to a goaltender, especially at the age of 31. The concern was that the deal might not age well. However, the latter half of the contract has arguably been even better than the first, with Bobrovsky serving as a crucial catalyst for what could be three consecutive deep playoff runs for Florida.
One of the most vital assets for a goaltender is the trust of their teammates, and it`s abundantly clear that Bobrovsky has earned this trust from the Panthers. “We trust in ‘Bob’ like you wouldn’t believe,” defenseman Aaron Ekblad reportedly told the media after Game 5. “It’s unwavering as a team and we’re proud every night to play in front of that guy because he’s going to give his best effort and put his best foot forward every night. There’s no worries when you’ve got Bob behind you.”
This trust is critical for Florida, both mentally and strategically. While all teams need confidence in their goalie, for the Panthers, it`s fundamental to their playing style. Their aggressive and relentless forecheck often involves forwards and defensemen pushing deep into the offensive zone, which can leave them vulnerable to fast counterattacks and breakaway opportunities. The Panthers are known for allowing a higher number of breakaways, but they rely on Bobrovsky to bail them out. It`s a perfect fit between the goaltender`s capabilities and the team`s strategic approach.
Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers
A significant question mark for the Edmonton Oilers entering the postseason was how they would fare without defenseman Mattias Ekholm. Losing a key defensive player just before the playoffs is obviously not ideal, but for the Oilers, it was particularly concerning given their inconsistent goaltending and the fact that veteran Darnell Nurse, expected to take on more minutes, had struggled in the previous year`s playoffs. To his credit, Nurse has performed commendably for Edmonton this postseason, showing signs of overcoming his previous playoff difficulties.
With Ekholm sidelined, the Oilers were forced to pair Nurse with the offensive-minded Evan Bouchard. Consequently, Nurse has had to shoulder the defensive burden. While not entirely flawless and featuring a couple of challenging games, the positive contributions from Nurse have generally outweighed the negatives. He currently holds an even plus/minus rating in the playoffs, a significant improvement from his minus-9 rating during last year`s run. Furthermore, he`s logging heavier minutes without Ekholm, averaging nearly 25 minutes per game this postseason, almost three minutes more than his regular-season average.
