Sergei Bobrovsky achieved a significant milestone in his career as he secured his 400th career win, leading the Florida Panthers to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Bobrovsky’s exceptional performance with 24 saves played a crucial role in securing the win for his team.
The Panthers got off to a strong start with early first-period goals from Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe. Lundell scored just 44 seconds into the game by beating Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin in the slot, while Verhaeghe extended the lead at the 2:42 mark. Although Alexis Lafreniere managed to score for the Rangers at 4:44 into the game, it was the only goal they could secure against Bobrovsky.
In the second period, Sam Bennett further solidified the Panthers’ lead with a goal at the 6:59 mark. The Panthers managed to maintain their advantage throughout the game, ultimately securing the victory in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Final, which they had won in six games.
For the Rangers, this loss marked their first regulation defeat after a strong start of 5-0-1. On the other hand, the Panthers improved their road record to 3-2-0, following an impressive 26-10-5 away record in the previous season.
A key moment in the game came when Bobrovsky made crucial saves, denying Rangers’ forward Jonny Brodzinski on a breakaway and stopping Filip Chytil and Chris Kreider’s attempts in close range. The 36-year-old goaltender now joins the elite group of 14 goaltenders in NHL history to reach the 400-win milestone. Bobrovsky achieved this feat in his sixth season with the Panthers, boasting an impressive career record of 400-226-56 over 15 seasons. He also holds the title of the fastest goaltender to reach 400 wins, achieving this milestone in just 707 games. With two more wins, Bobrovsky will surpass Chris Osgood for the 13th spot on the all-time wins list.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ forward Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 13 points, was unable to contribute to the scoresheet in this game, marking his first scoreless performance of the season.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will face the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, while the Panthers are set to play against the Islanders in New York on the same day. This victory for the Panthers not only highlights Bobrovsky’s remarkable achievement but also sets a positive tone for their upcoming games in the season.
