The Difference Maker

By Mike Rifkin

The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers are getting ready to play in the Eastern Conference Finals, with a chance to go play for the Stanley Cup. For both teams this is the second time in three seasons that both are playing for a chance to go to the Cup Final. Now, we can discuss all of the X-factors that’ll play in this series, but one matchup will determine the outcome of this series. The battle of the goalies. Both Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky have both won the Vezina Trophy and both have had big moments in their playoff career. 

For the Rangers they’ve had the distinct goaltending edge in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Igor Shesterkin is 8-2 with a 2.40 GAA and a .923 save percentage so far in the playoffs. In game four against the Hurricanes, Shesterkin had his streak of 30 consecutive playoff games of giving up three goals or less snapped. Shesterkin had a big struggle during the season, but after getting some time off after the All Star break, Shesterkin has been phenomenal for the Rangers and is a big reason why they won the Presidents’ Trophy. 

For the Panthers they haven’t had the distinct advantage in goal through the first two rounds, going up against Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jeremy Swayman. But Sergei Bobrovsky has been excellent with a 2.37 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Bobrovsky in his playoff career has a 2.94 GAA and .905 save percentage.  

Two Russian Goalies, who have had outstanding seasons have an opportunity to lead their respective franchise to the Eastern Conference Championship time will tell on which one will be the difference maker.