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Panthers expect goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to bounce back against Oilers in Game 5

FORT LAUDERDALE — Two days removed from being pulled early in the second period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Sergei Bobrovsky was looking like himself again.

In Monday’s Florida Panthers practice, Bobrovsky dived to make a big stick save on the goal line. Cheers erupted from his teammates while the 35-year-old netminder moved on to the next shot as the next skater came charging in uncontested. That’s just how things roll for him.

“That’s pretty much it,” said Bobrovsky, who allowed five goals on 16 shots in the 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night. “I try to stay in the moment, whether it’s good or bad, it doesn’t matter. You just move onto the next.”

Even after perhaps the toughest moment of his storied career — getting yanked from the Stanley Cup Final 4:49 into the second period — Bobrovsky is not shaken.

“It is what it is,” Bobrovksy said. “It’s hockey. They have a good team, they have a good offense. It's part of the journey. We’re getting ready for the next shift. We will compete and fight.”

The way Bobrovsky is preparing himself for another shot at potentially winning his first Stanley Cup has not changed either. He still gets on the ice early to run through his vigorous routine and he still wants his teammates to go all out and make him work in practice. And that they did.

“That’s why we do some of those drills where it’s not particularly contested. He likes it,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “He is not a goaltender who doesn’t want to work and doesn’t want to see hard shots. He wants to see the hard stuff. And he’s had runs where he’s made those saves and the guys love that stuff. They chirp the guy who didn’t score and it’s all part of the fun.”

Jun 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique (19) scores a goal defended by Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the first period in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique (19) scores a goal defended by Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the first period in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

When Dmitry Kulikov was asked if the veteran goaltender would be ready to go for Game 5, he didn’t mince his words. “Because he’s Bob,” he said.

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The Panthers also don’t think Bobrovsky particularly needs to bounce back.

Most of Oilers' rush chances were uncontested

Most of the rush chances the Oilers rattled off during Game 4 were nearly as uncontested as those in the drills Florida was running in Monday’s practice. Bobrovsky wasn’t getting much help from his teammates, and they acknowledged that afterward.

”There’s no bounceback,” Maurice said. “We got him out of there because it wasn’t like he was going to have anything to do with anything positive that might happen.”

Bobrovsky’s stellar run through the first three games of the series — a 3-0 record with a .953 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average — and the playoffs in general (15-6/.909/2.27) gives the Panthers all the confidence in the world that he can play like himself again.

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“I thought he was good last game, too,” Carter Verhaeghe said. “I think we didn't put him in a good position on a lot of it and he has been awesome all playoffs. Obviously, we’re really confident in Bob. You’ve seen him play, he’s awesome.”

For Bobrovsky, what happened in Edmonton on Saturday night is not looming on his mind going into Game 5 Tuesday night in Sunrise.

“Again, it is what it is. I came out of the game, I did my best, and that’s what happened. I’m just ready for the next game,” Bobrovsky said. “It’s a new game, it all starts from the beginning, 0-0 score, and I’m just getting ready for the next shot.”

Jun 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) relieves Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) relieves Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Stanley Cup FinalsGame 5: Oilers at PanthersTuesday 8 p.m., ABC

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky not shaken to face Edmonton Oilers