This week`s Friday Four delves into notable player narratives developing across the NHL, featuring:
- Bobrovsky`s resurgence
- Nurse overcoming last year`s playoff difficulties
- Svechnikov providing the offense the Hurricanes needed
- Heiskanen`s return potentially making the Stars a top contender
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
Midway through Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky appeared to flip a switch and resolve to allow nothing more.
Bobrovsky wasn`t at his best in the initial two games of the series. However, since John Tavares scored a power-play goal early in the second period of Game 3, Bobrovsky has conceded only two goals over nearly 160 minutes – one was a strange bounce off a defenseman, and the other a late goal in Game 5 during garbage time. It`s likely no coincidence that the Panthers rediscovered their form and confidence as Bobrovsky entered lockdown mode.
Lapses like the one Bobrovsky experienced early in the series against the Leafs have been few and far between throughout his career. He`s building an impressive resume for the Hall of Fame, already possessing two Vezina Trophies. If he plays for a few more seasons, there`s a strong chance he could climb into the top five all-time in wins. His playoff performances are increasingly sparking conversations about where he stands among history`s most clutch goaltenders, even if he`s not yet on the Mount Rushmore.
From a broad perspective, Bobrovsky`s overall post-season statistics don`t necessarily put him alongside the all-time elite. He ranks 22nd in playoff wins, trailing Martin Brodeur by over 60 and Patrick Roy by nearly 100. His five shutouts are on par with contemporaries like Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek. To fully appreciate Bobrovsky`s playoff greatness, one needs to examine the details more closely.
For instance, Bobrovsky has delivered his most remarkable performances at an age when many goalies are struggling just to remain in the league. He will turn 37 in September and is coming off a Stanley Cup appearance and back-to-back finals appearances, with a potential third deep run this year. This amount of high-stakes hockey for a player his age is substantial, yet he shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Bobrovsky is fifth all-time in playoff wins after the age of 30, with 47 victories.
Furthermore, Bobrovsky has demonstrated an exceptional ability to elevate his play as series deepen and the pressure intensifies. Since joining the Panthers, his save percentage stands at .903 in Games 1-4, but dramatically improves to .913 in Games 5-7. His overtime record is also stellar; he is 10-2 in extra frames since the beginning of the 2022-23 post-season, including a perfect 7-0 record during Florida`s run to the final two years ago.
It`s also important to remember that Bobrovsky was the crucial factor in two of the biggest upsets in playoff history. Two post-seasons ago, he backstopped the Panthers as they rallied from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Bruins, a team that finished with 135 points and the Presidents` Trophy. That season, the Panthers were 43 points behind the Bruins, and that historic comeback transformed Florida from a team on the playoff bubble into a formidable force.
Before that, there was the unforgettable sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning when Bobrovsky was with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018-19. Again, the Lightning were Presidents` Trophy winners with 128 points and a plus-103 goal differential, but Bobrovsky completely shut down Tampa`s potent offense, allowing a mere eight goals throughout the entire series.
Following that series, Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70-million contract with the Panthers, a move met with considerable doubt by many. Paying a goaltender that amount with such a long term is uncommon, especially for a 31-year-old, which Bobrovsky was at the time. It seemed logical that the deal wouldn`t age well, but the latter half of the contract has arguably been more successful than the first, with Bobrovsky serving as a key catalyst for potentially three consecutive deep playoff runs.
One of the most vital assets for a goaltender is the confidence of their teammates, and it is clear that Bobrovsky has earned this.
We trust in ‘Bob’ like you wouldn’t believe. It’s unwavering as a team and we’re proud every night to play in front of that guy because he’s going to give his best effort and put his best foot forward every night. There’s no worries when you’ve got Bob behind you.
– Defenseman Aaron Ekblad told reporters after Game 5.
This trust is significant for Florida, both psychologically and strategically. While every team needs faith that their goalie will make saves, for the Panthers, it`s fundamental to their playing style. Their aggressive forecheck can sometimes leave them exposed to rush chances on the counterattack, as Florida`s forwards and defensemen often push deep into the offensive zone to keep opponents hemmed in. The Panthers are among the teams that allow the most breakaways, yet they rely on Bobrovsky to bail them out.
It represents a perfect partnership between the goaltender and the team`s approach.
Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers
A significant question mark surrounding the Edmonton Oilers as they headed into the post-season was how they would perform without Mattias Ekholm.
Losing a top defensive defenseman just before the playoffs is far from ideal for any team, but for the Oilers, it was particularly concerning. Edmonton doesn`t boast exceptional goaltending, and veteran Darnell Nurse, who was expected to fill Ekholm`s minutes, had struggled significantly in the playoffs the previous spring. To his credit, however, Nurse has played commendably for Edmonton this year, beginning to put last year`s issues behind him.
With Ekholm sidelined, the Oilers were compelled to pair Nurse with Evan Bouchard. This means Nurse has had to assume the primary defensive burden, given Bouchard`s offensive focus. While his play hasn`t been perfect, and he`s had a couple of challenging games, the positives have generally outweighed the negatives. Nurse currently has an even rating, a notable improvement from his minus-9 during last year`s run to the Stanley Cup Final. He`s also taking on more responsibility without Ekholm, averaging just under 25 minutes per game in the playoffs so far, nearly three minutes more than his regular-season average.