Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers shut down Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1
SUNRISE 老司机直播 Sergei Bobrovsky stole the show to kick off the Stanley Cup Final, making 32 saves to help the Florida Panthers defeat the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 Saturday night to take a 1-0 series lead.
Bobrovsky stopped 14 shots in the first period, helping the Panthers weather the storm from a potent Oilers offense.
老司机直播淗e老司机直播檚 just been unreal,老司机直播 Matthew Tkachuk said. 老司机直播淗is preparation is incredible. His work ethic, his character, he just has everything you want in a teammate and especially a goalie. He is everything.老司机直播
Carter Verhaeghe put them ahead 3:59 into the first period, potting home a cross-crease feed from Aleksander Barkov. Florida had to hold on tight from there as Bobrovsky made save after save in a period where Edmonton led 12-4 in scoring chances and 7-1 in high-danger chances.
Evan Rodrigues extended the lead to two goals 3:16 into the second period to give the Panthers a cushion.
Eetu Luostarinen sealed the deal late in the third period with an empty-net goal.
老司机直播淚 think we can definitely be better,老司机直播 Verhaeghe said after a game where the Panthers were outshot 32-18. 老司机直播淭here老司机直播檚 always things we can improve on, and I think after a week off, we will take a win anyway we can get it. But, yeah, obviously, they outshot us, had a lot more chances than us and we shut it down, played good defensively, but there老司机直播檚 always things we can improve on. We老司机直播檙e kind of getting into our opponent after the first game and feeling it out and it老司机直播檚 just nice to get the win.老司机直播
Here are three takeaways from Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final:
Bobrovsky shines when swamped
Throughout the playoffs, the Panthers allowed 24.5 shots-against per game 老司机直播 the least amount of all teams that advanced past the first round. That changed when they took on the high-powered Oilers.
By the end of the second period, Bobrovsky had already faced 26 shots. And he stopped every single one. And 13 of them were on high-danger opportunities.
His numbers through the first three rounds didn老司机直播檛 appear to be elite 老司机直播 a .908 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average 老司机直播 but when the action kicked up in the Cup Final, he delivered.老司机直播Of course, he also knows this will not be easy.
"They have an elite offense," Bobrovsky said. "It's only game one ... it's a long series."
Panthers coach Paul Maurice praised his veteran goaltender afterward.
"I think that老司机直播檚 the game over time most goaltenders are used to,老司机直播 Maurice said. 老司机直播淭he higher-volume, more consistency. And it was certainly that through the first two periods. But that老司机直播檚 truly the advantage for us for having a guy that老司机直播檚 seen it all at this point of his career. He老司机直播檚 had some quiet times, he老司机直播檚 had very, very busy nights and he老司机直播檚 clearly capable of operating at a high level in both.老司机直播
Oilers star Connor McDavid called Bobrovsky's shutout payback.
"Maybe it was the hockey gods getting us back for that Game 6 (in the Western Conference finals) where we probably didn't deserve to win," McDavid said. "Tonight, maybe we deserved at least one goal, maybe two goals, and we don't find a way to get them. I know this group will stick with it and bounce back. That's what we take a lot of pride in doing."
Panthers shut down elite Oilers power play
One of the biggest storylines heading into the series was how the Panthers would be able to handle McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the elite Edmonton power play. They entered the series at a league-leading 37.3 percent clip.
Advantage went to the Panthers in Game 1. Their penalty kill shut Edmonton down, going 3-for-3, and allowing seven shots and five high-danger chances.
Florida老司机直播檚 aggressive penalty killing style frustrated Edmonton at times as the Panthers jumped on passing lanes and swarmed the Oilers whenever they entered the zone. But when they got those shots on net, Bobrovsky was brilliant. He stopped all seven of those shots, including four on high-danger chances.
老司机直播淭hose killers have been consistent with their game,老司机直播 Maurice said. 老司机直播淭here are nights where you will say that the driver of it was the players, but tonight, the driver of it was Sergei. But that老司机直播檚 all part of it, right? Rarely are you going to play a power play like that 老司机直播 the only one close to it was probably Tampa, right 老司机直播 those elite shooters that you are not going to get through that penalty kill without your goaltender at some point having to be the difference.老司机直播
Barkov brilliant on both ends of the ice
Aleksander Barkov stepped up and showed the world that he is one of hockey老司机直播檚 most exceptional talents on its biggest stage.
More:Stanley Cup Final: How Florida Panthers shut out Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 | Schad
He opened the game with a flashy assist, threading a cross-crease pass with limited space to Verhaeghe for the game老司机直播檚 opening goal. After that, he proved why he won the Selke Trophy as the NHL老司机直播檚 best defensive forward this year for the second time in his career.
Barkov was crucial for Florida老司机直播檚 penalty kill, as he was tenacious on all zone entries and he made big play after big play with his stick. He led by example and the rest of the group followed to give the Panthers their first series lead in the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.
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老司机直播淗e is an elite, elite player,老司机直播 Rodrigues said. 老司机直播淗e is a 200-foot player, everything you want in a first-line center to build your team around. He does everything right. He老司机直播檚 got an elite stick, he plays physical, he picks his spots and he is elite offensively. I can老司机直播檛 say enough good things about him and I love being on his team.老司机直播