Over the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final, Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allowed just four goals. Over two periods in Game 4, he more than doubled his total.
The Panthers’ starter was pulled in favour of backup Anthony Stolarz on Saturday night after allowing five goals on 16 shots.
With the Panthers leading the series 3-0, and Bobrovsky being a key factor in those three wins, the 35-year-old Russian has been making a strong case to be the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
But just five minutes into the second period of Game 4, Panthers coach Paul Maurice pulled Bobrovsky after Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse scored to put his team up 5-1.
As Stolarz replaced him, the Edmonton crowd taunted Bobrovsky on the bench by chanting “Sergei! Sergei!”
The 30-year-old Stolarz is making his playoff debut. He posted a 2.03 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 25 games during the regular season.
