Legend of 'Playoff Bob': What Panthers teammates, stats say - ESPN

BOSTON — In the regular season, Sergei Bobrovsky is known as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, as evidenced by his nomination for the Vezina Trophy, which he has won twice before.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, he's known simply as «Playoff Bob.»

Who is Playoff Bob?

«I mean, I don't even know if there's one word to describe him,» Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour said. «Focus. That's a good one, I guess.»

«Ultimate compete. Ultimate preparation,» Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. «His calm and coolness in the net under any circumstances.»

«He's just on another level,» Florida captain Aleksander Barkov said.

That's the perception of Playoff Bob. It's reinforced by incredible postseason saves like his diving stop in the first round with his back turned to center ice, which was immortalized on a T-shirt as «The Bobbery.»

Check out this sensational save from Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 2 vs. the Lightning.

But the reality of Playoff Bob, at least in the 2024 postseason, is different from the perception.

Sure, he's 7-2 for the Panthers, who are one victory away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight season. He has a 2.55 goals-against average, which ranks him fifth among goalies with at least six postseason appearances. But those are largely team-driven stats for a goaltender.

From an individual perspective, Bobrovsky has a .892 save percentage, which ranks eighth out of nine goalies with at least six appearances. Only Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers ranks lower (.877), a goaltender whose status for Game 4 against the Vancouver Canucks is uncertain due to his ineffectiveness.

Money Puck has Bobrovsky at 0.5 goals saved above expected. Stathletes has him at