Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky Offers Path to Playoff Success for Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck's playoff struggles are well documented. See how he can get to the next level thanks to Bobrovsky.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is one of the best in the world. Thanks to his masterful performance in the 2024-25 regular season, he is the overwhelming favorite to win his third-career Vezina Trophy.
Hellebuyck’s performance was good enough to be named a Hart Trophy finalist along with Leon Draisaitl and Nikita Kucherov. One of the biggest reasons why the Jets won the President’s Trophy was his career-high 47 wins.
But that’s only the regular season. When we think about Hellebuyck and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s a much different story. It’s not the same Vezina-caliber goalie we’re used to seeing.
Yes, Hellebuyck hung in there during these playoffs to earn a series win over the St. Louis Blues. However, the Jets fell to the Dallas Stars in six games in the second round.
Coming out of that series, there’s a growing feeling that Stars’ goaltender Jake Oettinger will be the favorite to be Team U.S.A.’s goaltender at the Milan Olympics. There is question surrounding how Hellebuyck will perform in high-pressure situations given his struggles during the playoffs.
If there is good news in all of this for Hellebuyck, there is a goaltender still playing in these playoffs that knows exactly how he feels. That’s because this goaltender went through his own share of playoff struggles before finding his way.
Remember when the narrative around Florida Panthers’ goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was he couldn’t win in the playoffs?
Bobrovsky’s Journey
Early in his career, Bobrovsky was known for having really good regular seasons. Then when the playoffs rolled around, it was the same old story.
It took Bobrovsky nine years to win a round in the playoffs. In his first eight seasons, he missed the playoffs three times and was part of five teams that were bounced in the first round.
Bobrovsky’s teams were eliminated in six games or less in each occurrence. Despite winning two Vezina Trophies in that time, the same number that Hellebuyck has won to date before this season, Bobrovsky struggled mightily.
It did not matter if the games were at home or on the road. Bobrovsky struggled the same. There was legitimate question if he’d ever break through when it mattered most.
Bobrovsky’s breakthrough finally came in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets were heavy underdogs against the powerful Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning scored three goals in the first period of Game 1 to build a 3-0 lead. This immediately led most everyone to believe it would be the same old Bobrovsky.
Think again.
The Blue Jackets rallied to score four unanswered goals to stun the Lightning 4-3 in Game 1. But here’s what doesn’t get talked about nearly enough about that game.
Bobrovsky made key saves in the second period to keep it 3-0. This allowed the Blue Jackets the chance to get back in the game. Nick Foligno’s breakaway goal got things started.
The Blue Jackets went on to sweep the Lightning in one of the biggest playoff upsets in NHL history. This became Bobrovsky’s turning point.
Although it didn’t lead to immediate success, the Blue Jackets were eliminated in six games by the Boston Bruins, it proved to be a monumental moment for Bobrovsky to build off of. It gave him the confidence to know he could win.
Here’s the fascinating part. After Bobrovsky left the Blue Jackets to sign with the Florida Panthers, his success didn’t come right away. It wasn’t until his third season with the Panthers until he realized the fruits of his labor.
What’s important to note about Bobrovsky’s journey is his progress. He went from being eliminated in the second round in 2021-22 to being eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final in 2022-23 to winning it all in 2023-24.
Bobrovsky now has a chance to do something very few in NHL history have done. That’s win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. The Panthers will have every opportunity to do so.
This should give a lot of confidence to a goaltender like Hellebuyck. He is more than capable of following a similar path.
Hellebuyck’s Journey
While Hellebuyck’s career journey is similar to Bobrovsky’s, there are some differences of note. To start, Hellebuyck had some initial success.
