After a rough start to his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sergei Bobrovsky finally earned his first win. It was definitely a sigh of relief for Bobrovsky and Maple Leafs supporters.
Bobrovsky was excellent in net, as he kept Toronto in the game with several big stops. The two-time Stanley Cup winner entered tonight’s matchup against the Colorado still winless in three starts.
Bobrovsky had a 0-2-1 record, having lost his most recent start against the Vegas Golden Knights in a shootout.
Maple Leafs Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky Earns First Win With His New Team
Sergei Bobrovsky was the difference-maker in the Maple Leafs’ 6-3 victory over the Avalanche.
Bobrovsky made 30 saves on 33 shots faced and finished the game with an impressive .909 save percentage. He was heavily relied on, as the Avalanche’s offense was firing on all cylinders.
Colorado entered tonight’s game with a league-leading +12 goal differential. The Avs also entered with a league-leading average 5.75 goals per game. Given some of the Avalanche’s dominant wins so far this season, Bobrovsky limiting the team to only three goals made his victory even more impressive.
Bobrovsky had a 2.95 GAA and a .906 save percentage across his three starts. As a result, tonight’s win over a tough opponent should boost his confidence and the morale in the locker room.
While the Leafs took an early lead, the Avalanche answered with two goals to take the lead going into the first intermission.
Toronto responded in the second period, scoring three goals to go up 4-3 going into the third period. The Leafs stayed composed and closed out the victory by adding a pair of goals.
Leafs Head Coach Jim Hiller Reacts to Bobrovsky’s Performance Against the Avalanche
Leafs head coach Jim Hiller heaped praise on Bobrovsky following his stellar performance against the Avalanche.
Hiller was impressed with how Bobrovsky did not dwell on giving up the Leafs’ early lead. The Leafs’ starting goaltender was composed and got better as the game progressed.
Hiller admitted that Bobrovsky had been a lot busier in his previous starts, but it is not uncommon for him. He complimented Bobrovsky for playing a key role in shifting the momentum back in the Leafs’ favor.
“Those last two games were a lot of work for [Bobrovsky]. And I guess that’s classic Bob, right? That’s why he’s here. He just has a way to settle everybody down. Such a calm demeanor, and he made some great saves,” Hiller told reporters during his post-game scrum [H/T: Maple Leaf Hot Stove].
It will be interesting to see whether Hiller decides to start Bobrovsky again when the Leafs face the Utah Mammoth. Regardless of who Hiller decides to start, one positive takeaway for the Leafs is that both goalies have played well.
Maple Leafs Goaltender Sergei Bobrovksky Earns First Win With His New Team