He is seventh all-time among NHL goalies in wins (456), four from passing Henrik Lundqvist, and 34 from moving past Roberto Luongo for fourth. Bobrovsky is 17th all-time in games played (806) with the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Panthers.
Now he’s tasked with trying to help the Maple Leafs get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after they finished last in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s another opportunity,” Bobrovsky said. “That’s the hockey life. I’m here and I’m excited to be here, excited to be part of this team, part of this great group of guys and yeah, one moment at a time.”
Matthews vividly remembers the 2023 postseason, when Toronto was eliminated in five games by Florida in the second round. Bobrovsky had a .943 save percentage in that series, allowing 10 goals.
“I couldn’t be happier to have him on our side,” Matthews said.
Bobrovsky is also looking to bounce back after he went 27-23-1 with a 3.07 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage in his final season with the Panthers, who were riddled with injuries throughout last season and missed the playoffs. He allowed one goal on 11 shots in his preseason debut for the Maple Leafs, a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens. Bobrovsky was replaced by Anthony Stolarz at 8:44 of the second period.
“It was a good game,” Bobrovsky said. “The building was great, great energy. Great to play some hockey. Our guys did a great job to keep the shots on the outside.
“We will keep building. It’s the first game. We’re getting together, building chemistry, building with the emotions here, so just going to keep working.”
The goal Bobrovsky allowed came 51 seconds into the second period. On a 2-on-1, Zachary Bolduc swung a pass around Emil Andrae, who chased after him, to Phillip Danault at the top of the goal crease. Danault stopped, peeled off to the right side of the crease and flipped a shot over Bobrovsky’s glove while standing on the goal line.