Bobrovsky’s stellar performance leads Panthers to Rangers victory

Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves, 11 of them in the third period, as the Florida Panthers opened the Eastern Conference final with a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Panthers aim to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series on Friday night before the series shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4.

Matthew Tkachuk scored his fifth playoff goal with 3:34 remaining in the first period, giving the Panthers an early lead. Bobrovsky’s exceptional performance, particularly in the third period, ensured the lead stood. Carter Verhaeghe added an insurance goal with 3:48 left in the game, his seventh of the postseason, and Sam Bennett sealed the win with an empty-net goal, his third in the playoffs.

The Rangers struggled offensively, managing only 12 shots on goal through the first two periods and enduring a stretch of about 14 minutes without a shot. Bobrovsky’s clutch saves, including consecutive pad stops on Alexander Wennberg with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining, were crucial. He also helped kill off a New York power play by denying Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox when Florida was penalized for having too many men on the ice.

The Panthers shut out the Rangers to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final! pic.twitter.com/I4zuIZ6VWm

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Bobrovsky’s performance marked his second career playoff shutout and continued a streak of allowing two goals or fewer in six consecutive postseason games. The Rangers, who had been shut out only once all season before Game 1, will look to regroup for the next game in the series.