SUNRISE, Fla. — Sergei Bobrovsky wants a haircut.

The goaltender for the Florida Panthers makes use of a skinny headband to carry a few of his hair again lately. Long hair often isn’t an issue for Bobrovsky right now of yr: When a season ends, he will get most of it shaved off and retains the minimize super-short till the following season begins.

This season remains to be going. As such, the hair remains to be rising.

So, too, is the legend of Bobrovsky, who was backing up Alex Lyon when these playoffs started and now has helped carry the Panthers into the Stanley Cup Final. Bobrovsky led the best way to ousting points-record-setting Boston in Round 1, Toronto in Round 2 after which Carolina in an Eastern Conference finals sweep that included a four-OT victory in Game 1.

Games like these are why Bobrovsky has holes drilled into his skates; he sweats a lot and sprays himself with a lot water throughout video games, and all that moisture working down his jersey, pants and pads has to empty out someplace.

“He’s on another planet,” Florida ahead Carter Verhaeghe stated. “He’s been playing so well this whole playoff run. I mean, seems like whenever we need a big save, he’s there. Whenever something happens for (opponents) to get some momentum, he gets it back. He changes the whole game for us and he’s been unbelievable. He’s like a brick wall back there.”

Bobrovsky’s numbers over his final 12 video games are brick-wall-esque, for positive: 11-1 report, 438 saves on 465 pictures for a .942 save proportion, a goals-against common of 1.95. In practically 100 minutes of extra time hockey, he’s seen 54 pictures and stopped all of them.

He’s a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and the Panthers landed him as a free agent with a $70 million, seven-year deal in 2019. He’s price each penny of that deal proper now.

“He’s been doing it all year and every year and now he finally gets rewarded to be in the Cup final,” stated Florida ahead Patric Hornqvist, who takes shot after shot after shot on Bobrovsky in follow, one hockey workaholic serving to one other. “My wife told me that he was actually crying when he knew we were going to make it. Those moments … those are so cool when a player really recognizes what kind of position we’re in.”

Goalies, by nature, are quirky, every with their very own routine and perception about what works greatest. Panthers coach Paul Maurice stopped attempting to determine what makes netminders tick way back. He typically says he is aware of subsequent to nothing about enjoying the place. He says hi there to Bobrovsky within the morning, and generally that’s all that must be stated.

There is a belief degree there. Maurice doesn’t have to inform Bobrovsky to work onerous. He is aware of the 34-year-old veteran with 13 years within the NHL will do no matter he feels is required to be at his greatest.

“That’s definitely awesome,” Bobrovsky stated. “I’ve been in the league a little bit, you know, and I kind of know my body and my mind. I know the tools, what makes me, what prepares me. I definitely appreciate that trust. It’s great to feel that and it’s great to have that … that freedom in your environment.”

He’s earned it. Bobrovsky exhibits up for work early, leaves late, at all times locked in on the duty. That doesn’t imply issues at all times go based on plan.

This season was not simple. Bobrovsky was 12-13-2 with a 3.25 GAA in his first 29 video games, together with a save proportion of .897. He acquired damage in January, missed about three weeks, got here again and was extra of his regular self; a 12-4-1 report in his first 17 video games after recovering from the again damage, with a 2.54 GAA and .915 save proportion.

And then he acquired sick in mid-March. The Panthers have been in large hassle and wanted an enormous run simply to make the playoffs. Lyon took over and have become a people hero, going 6-1-1 within the ultimate eight video games of the common season. Florida stored Lyon in web to start out the playoffs. Bobrovsky understood.

“Alex stepped in and played unbelievable hockey for us,” Bobrovsky stated. “He brought us to the playoffs.”

In the Boston sequence, Maurice went again to Bobrovsky. The Panthers trailed the sequence 3-1 in opposition to a staff that set an NHL report for normal season factors, the overwhelming Cup favorites. Brad Marchand had an opportunity on a breakaway to win Game 5, and the sequence, for Boston on the buzzer. Bobrovsky kicked the puck away with ease to save lots of the season. Fast ahead a month, and Florida is enjoying for a title.

“It’s like a roller coaster,” Bobrovsky stated.

If so, the Panthers are having fun with the trip. They’re on a protracted break proper now, with Game 1 of the ultimate in opposition to Vegas or Dallas not coming till this weekend. The Panthers will likely be rested, and Bobrovsky says his routine received’t be affected by on a regular basis off.

This will likely be his first journey to the ultimate. His inspiration is clear, and if he ever wanted a reminder, he merely must take a look at one thing hanging on the wall subsequent to his stall within the Florida dressing room. It’s a picture of the Stanley Cup with 16 holes minimize into it, 12 of these holes stuffed by a puck commemorating every playoff win to this point.

Four holes left. Four wins to go.

“We have to enjoy the enjoy the hockey,” Bobrovsky stated. “This is the best hockey ever. You look at this thing, it kind of reminds you how hard we’ve worked to get to this point and how many great teams we’ve played against, how many great players already are out of the playoffs. And we’re still in. We’re still alive. We’re fortunate for that.”

The haircut is coming in a pair weeks. This time, it would occur with Bobrovsky as a champion.

“There’s no superstition to what he’s doing,” Maurice stated. “He just works his butt off every day.”

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