By: Bryce Mitchell
The Florida Panthers lead the Eastern series 3-0 with a stellar performance by goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Carolina Panthers were dead on the board Monday night, losing 0-1.
All eyes on Bobrovsky
Sergei Bobrovsky was the shining star of the evening for game three, which was his 58th playoff start. The 6’2’’ goaltender had his first career playoff shutout, stopping 32 shots. He has a 0.901 save percentage and is now 10-1 in his last 11 appearances.
A telling moment for Bobrovsky was in the front half of the second period. As the Hurricanes posed to shoot, Bobrovsky chucks his stick to the boards in order to fling his arm in front of the incoming puck.
Sam Reinhart found the net halfway through the second period, scoring the only goal of the game. His wrist shot assisted by Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett took some of the heat off Bobrovsky, as Florida secured the lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Panthers have only scored six goals in the first three games of this series and have held Carolina to three. Game three showed lots of physicality, especially after the whistle. Tkachuk and Carolina’s Sebastian Aho were seen snapping, and Aho was later called for slashing.
Despite the win, Florida’s Captain, Aleksander Barkov, left the game in the first period after a hip check from Carolina forward Jack Drury. An update on whether he will be playing game four has yet to be released.
Florida is only one win away from advancing to the title round. The last time the Panthers played in a Stanley Cup final was in 1996.
Carolina needs a miracle
The Carolina Hurricanes are entering a make or break game four of the Eastern Conference Finals. Not only was Bobrovsky the Goliath of game three, but there was a lack of calls according to Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour.
In the third period, Florida’s Reinhart appeared to high stick Shayne Gostibehere in the face. No call was given.
Ahead of game four, Barkov’s absence could prove difficult for Florida and an opening for Carolina.
The Hurricanes’ last chance to make the final round is set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Florida.
