Sergei Bobrovsky posted the first shutout of his postseason career as the Florida Panthers blanked the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at FLA Live Arena.
Bobrovksy handled all 32 Carolina shots, including this first period breakaway by Stefan Noesen, who took a pass from Sebastian Aho and blew by Marc Staal before being denied by Bob’s hungry glove. It was his first shutout in 64 Stanley Cup Playoff games (58 starts) with Philadelphia, Columbus and Florida.
Sergei Bobrovsky with the gigantic save on Stefan Noesen to keep the game at 0-0 #timetohunt ! pic.twitter.com/CQyhTXw0Dd
— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) May 23, 2023
Bobrovsky has stopped 67 consecutive shots and 110 of his 111. He has made 132 saves in the past three games, setting an NHL record for the most by a goaltender through the first three games of a conference final/semifinal series since 1955-56
A slashing call on Brady Skjei midway through the second set the stage for the game’s only goal. After winning the offensive zone draw back to Brandon Montour, Sam Reinhart set up shop in the slot. Montour sent the puck behind the net to Sam Bennett, who reversed it up the right boards to Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk’s centering pass found Reinhart and his half-twist and shoot turned on the red light.
Oh, Samson. 😮💨
The @FlaPanthers now lead 1-0 after Sam Reinhart scores his seventh of the playoffs. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/u9zidSKXBs…
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/ZvTvqm70Er— NHL (@NHL) May 23, 2023
The Cats were outshot 11-2 in the third period, but managed to batten down the hatches and survive the storm surge to move one win away from their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 1996.
Wind & Shudders
- Sergei Bobrovsky (34 years, 244 days) is the oldest goalie to get his first playoff shutout since Tim Thomas (35 years, 340 days) got his in a 4-0 win for Boston in Game 5 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Carolina.
- Aleksander Barkov left in the first period due to a lower-body injury. Barkov missed the final 7:04 of the opening frame and did not return following a hip check from Jack Drury.
- Sebastian Aho, Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin each produced a game-high five shots on goal. Aho was also credited with three hits and was the Hurricanes best player.
- The Panthers finished the tilt with 23 blocked shots, including three with under two minutes left remaining in the game.
- Frederik Andersen returned after taking Game 2 off and stopped 16 of 17 shots in another tough-luck loss.
- For the weaker side of the storm in Game 3, visit Canes Country.