Panthers Beat McDavid, Oilers in G1 as NHL Fans Celebrate Sergei Bobrovsky’s Heroics

Julia StumbaughJune 9, 2024

Elsa/Getty Images

Sergei Bobrovsky took standing on his head literally in Saturday night’s Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Bobrovsky cartwheeled in the second period to make one of the 32 saves that backstopped the Panthers to a 2-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

ESPN @espnThis angle of Sergei Bobrovsky’s ridiculous save 😳

📺: ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/PniJktQsRz

Bobrovsky’s effort allowed the Panthers to win despite being outshot 33-18 by Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

Eric Engels @EricEngelsLive look at Oilers trying to score on Sergei Bobrovsky pic.twitter.com/d9eEcuVUP4

X – Mr. Bandana @AdamsOnHockey”I’m gonna go low on Bobrovsky again” pic.twitter.com/aZSbMsh1UZ

Bobrovsky’s 32-save shutout also marked the first blank sheet ever posted by a Panthers goaltender in the Stanley Cup Final.

He is now the first goaltender since 1945 to earn shutouts in Game 1 of both the Final and the previous round, per the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.

The records don’t stop there. The 35-year-old is the oldest goaltender to ever begin a Stanley Cup Final with a shutout. The feat additionally marks just the seventh time in the last 76 years a goaltender has completed a shutout in Game 1 of the Final, per NHL Media.

It’s also the key reason the Panthers have their first Stanley Cup Final series lead in franchise history.

NHL Public Relations @PR_NHLSergei Bobrovsky posted the first #StanleyCup Final shutout in franchise history and helped the @FlaPanthers take a lead in the championship series for the first time.#NHLStats: https://t.co/4fLCGAdT1Z pic.twitter.com/qCxY2Le80g

The historic shutout was especially impressive given how much the Oilers dominated play Saturday, particularly when outshooting the Panthers 25-12 through the first two periods.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman @DNBsportsYou can’t say the Oilers aren’t getting their chances. Bobrovsky is the first three stars so far.

Jesse Granger @JesseGranger_Bobrovsky is seeing the puck incredibly well right now.

His tracking is off the charts. He just followed that slap shot through the screen by Hyman and snatched it with the glove.

This is goaltending at its highest level, on the biggest stage, and it’s so much fun to watch.

Dan Tencer @dantencerAll night it has felt like Edmonton just needs to get one and the game is there for them.

Bobrovsky not allowing it. They’ve thrown nearly everything they can at him and he’s been awesome.

Very similar I’m sure to how Stars fans felt in Game 6 in Edmonton. Frustrating.

Dave McCarthy @DaveAMcCarthyI don’t hear many people complaining about Sergei Bobrovsky’s $10M cap hit these days…#Timetohunt

The Panthers may not have been able to control the Oilers’ shot totals, but they dominated in a physical game led by Sam Bennett:

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceSam Bennett with a big hit on McDavid 👀 pic.twitter.com/y7A0Q3UTjX

David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriodFlorida is outhitting Edmonton 61-35 with 5:24 left in the 3rd. Sam Bennett leads the way with 11 hits, so far.

Carter Verhaeghe opened scoring in the first period.

Evan Rodrigues notched an insurance goal halfway through the second, as the Oilers’ second defense pairing of Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci were unable to limit Bennett on a dump-and-chase.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceSAM BENNETT WITH THE DUMP, CHASE, AND APPLE 🍎💪 pic.twitter.com/Wvj6QqAk0R

Dan Rosen @drosennhlWhat a play by Sam Bennett to set up Evan Rodrigues. Smart play to flip it in and chase it down, and then get rid of it quickly. Defensive coverage lacking, of course, but that’s an elite play by Bennett no matter what.

David Staples @dstaplesYou have to break up Nurse and Ceci.

Right?

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for a total of 10 shots on goal, but were unable to beat Bobrovsky before Eetu Luostarinen finished off the game with an empty-net dagger.

The Oilers will look to score their first goal of the Final when the puck drops for Game 2 in Sunrise on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.