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The arrival of Sergei Bobrovsky’s first child seems to have helped him experience a rebirth of his NHL career.
In the offseason, there was plenty of joking around about two-time Vezina Trophy winner Bobrovsky ending up as a $10 million backup goalie for the Florida Panthers.
But all of the laughter has been replaced by serious talk about whether he can reach the level he was in 2016-17 when he won 41 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets while posting a 2.06 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.
Bob, as his teammates call him, has started this season with a 6-0 record and 1.72 goals-against average and .948 save percentage.
It was big news Thursday night when Bobrovsky was forced to leave a game against the Washington Capitals after one period because of an upper body injury.
The Panthers didn’t provide an update on Bobrovsky’s condition on Friday beyond the fact that he is listed as day-to-day.
The fact that he’s considered day-to-day has to be considered good news. After being looked at like a footnote in the offseason, Bobrovsky has regained his relevance with the Panthers.
In the offseason, the thought was that goaltending phenom Spencer Knight, not even old enough to legally drink a post-game beer, would quickly become the team’s No. 1 goalie. Bob would then become the $10 million backup goalie.
Doubt that was ever the Panthers’ plan. That’s not to say Knight isn’t an elite-level goaltending talent. He’s all of that. Andrei Vasilevskiy was playing in the NHL in 20 and was Tampa Bay’s starter by 22. Knight is considered a young goalie with a chance to have Vasilevskiy-type impact.
Still, the thought now that Bobrovskiy could be an elite level goalie again and then allow Knight to ease into the picture is a much better plan for the Panthers, especially that they are considered a primary Stanley Cup contender.
If Knight steals the net at some point, that would be fine too. But the best way to develop Knight and give the Panthers the best chance to win would probably be to have Bobrovsky be No. 1 at least this season.
Less pressure on Knight. Imagine trying to learn how to play in the NHL while being counted on to carry the team to the Cup.
That brings us to Bobrovsky’s first child. His wife Olga gave birth to a daughter named Carolina last month.
Bobrovsky has been over-the-moon happy to be a father. He seems to have more joy in his life, less stressed by the rigors of his job. Most fathers can relate to the euphoria that comes with having your first child.
Bobrovsky didn’t live up to expectations for a $10 million goalie in his first two seasons in Florida. His goals-against average was above 3.00 for the two seasons. He wasn’t the same dominant goalie he had been for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
But Bobrovsky has found his peace and rediscovered his game this season. The Panthers now see themselves as having a highly desirable goalie tandem, a twosome good enough to produce a memorable season.
That’s why Bobrovsky’s injury news is so important.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
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