Sergei Bobrovsky

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The 2016–17 season stands as Bobrovsky's statistical peak with the Blue Jackets, where he posted a franchise-record 41 wins alongside a 2.06 goals against average and .931 save percentage. He recorded seven shutouts that year, finishing third in Hart Memorial Trophy voting behind Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. This campaign secured his second Vezina Trophy, cementing his status as the league's premier netminder. His consistency was unmatched; he joined Braden Holtby as the only goaltenders to rank in the top-five across every major statistical category that season. His tenure also featured a dramatic 2019 playoff run where he posted 37 wins during the regular season. In the postseason, Bobrovsky guided Columbus to a historic upset of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning, securing the franchise's first-ever series victory with a four-game sweep. Despite these individual triumphs and his first All-Star selection in 2014 following a spectacular glove save on Rick Nash in a regular-season game, deep playoff runs often ended abruptly, such as the six-game loss to Boston where he posted a .925 save percentage.

In Their Own Story

On April 3, 2014, the Blue Jackets faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in game two of their first-ever playoff series. The arena buzzed with tension until Bobrovsky made a crucial stop that ignited the team. Moments later, Columbus secured a 4–3 victory, marking the first playoff win in franchise history. Two days later, they won again, but the series turned on game five where Bobrovsky faced 50 shots, saving 48 for a .960 save percentage. Despite his heroics, the team fell 3–1. The series concluded on April 28 with a 4–3 loss in game six, ending their historic run but proving their resilience. Earlier that December, Bobrovsky had suffered an injury against Tampa Bay that sidelined him for four to five weeks. His return on January 6, 2014, against the New York Rangers was immediate and decisive. In a shootout decider, he made a glove save on former Blue Jacket star Rick Nash, which became the game-winning moment in a 4–3 victory. These moments defined his era: clutch saves in tight games that carried an expansion team to uncharted territory.

Reader's Guide

For fans following Bobrovsky's time in Columbus, the key dates are June 22, 2012 (the trade), July 1, 2013 (contract extension), and the 2016–17 season (second Vezina). He was not drafted by the NHL but signed an entry-level deal with Philadelphia in 2010 before moving to Columbus. His style relied on quick reflexes and positioning, evident when he stopped 48 of 50 shots against Pittsburgh in 2014. Key milestones include his first All-Star selection in July 2013 and the historic playoff series win over Tampa Bay in 2019. He finished third in Hart Trophy voting in 2017, trailing only McDavid and Crosby. His departure in 2019 ended an era where he set franchise records for wins in a season by a goaltender and became the face of the organization's most successful period.

Did You Know?

• Bobrovsky was not drafted into the NHL; the Philadelphia Flyers considered drafting him in 2006 but decided against it due to signing difficulties.
• In his NHL debut on October 7, 2010, he became the youngest goaltender to win a season-opening game for the Flyers at 22 years and 17 days, though he entered the game in relief of the starter.
• During the 2013–14 regular season, Bobrovsky made a famous glove save in a shootout against Rick Nash while playing for Columbus.
• Bobrovsky finished third in Hart Memorial Trophy voting in 2017, behind Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.