In Raleigh, North Carolina, reporters were treated to an unusual sight: a glimpse of Sergei Bobrovsky`s intense pre-game workout routine. This rare view was possible because the Carolina Hurricanes` new press conference room at Lenovo Center slightly intruded upon the makeshift training space set up for the visiting Florida Panthers.
Bobrovsky`s warm-up exercises were reportedly as physically demanding and acrobatic as the impressive two-pad stack save he later performed during Game 1 against the Hurricanes to deny a scoring opportunity.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice recounted seeing this routine only once before and consciously choosing to avoid watching it again.
Maurice shared an anecdote from early in the regular season when he first witnessed Bobrovsky doing what looked like Olympic weightlifting after the morning skate. Maurice admitted he “just froze” because he hadn`t yet told Bobrovsky he was starting that night, simply assuming he knew. He noted the goalie coach was aware and confirmed, “That`s his routine.” Consequently, Maurice stated, “So, I stay as far away from that, clearly, as I can.”
Witnessing such vigorous lifting in the morning might lead one to question if the 36-year-old goalie`s energy and performance could be negatively impacted during a potentially long game stretching beyond 60 minutes.
However, any such doubts quickly vanished, much like the speed with which Bobrovsky`s hand moved to catch a shot from Sebastian Aho early in the first period of Tuesday`s game.
Throughout the game, Bobrovsky showcased agility, precision, perfect balance, athleticism, and remarkable strength – qualities essential for both successfully snatching, cleaning, and jerking over 110 pounds, and for stopping 31 shots from a determined Hurricanes team.
While Aho did score with 15 seconds remaining in the first period, the Panthers goaltender had firmly taken control of the game long before that goal and maintained his composure, allowing only one other goal in the 5-2 Panthers victory, a late tap-in by Jackson Blake during a low-stakes moment.