It’s no secret that the Florida Panthers are a talented team. With star players like Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau leading the way, they’re always a threat on the ice. However, with past struggles this year from their goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, fans are left wondering if this team can truly win the Stanley Cup without him playing at his best.
Let’s take a closer look at the situation. Bobrovsky, who was signed to a whopping seven-year, $70 million contract in 2019, had a rocky start this season. In his first nine games, he posted a 3.72 goals against average and a .881 save percentage. Not exactly the numbers you want from your starting goaltender.
But is it fair to put all of the blame on Bobrovsky? Not entirely. While he certainly did not play his best hockey, the Panthers’ defense also struggled to keep pucks out of their own net. In fact, they were ranked 25th in the league in goals against per game.
So, can the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup without Bobrovsky playing at his best? It’s definitely possible, but it won’t be easy. The team will need to tighten up defensively and find ways to win games even when their goaltender is having an off night.
One thing that’s working in their favor is their offensive firepower. If they can continue to light the lamp at the rate they have played in the playoffs, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
While Sergei Bobrovsky’s struggles have been certainly cause for concern, they’re not the end of the world for the Florida Panthers. This is a talented team that has the potential to win the 2023 Stanley Cup, but they’ll need to keep their defense and goaltending in order if they want to hoist the Stanley Cup.
