Bobrovsky ‘just going to keep working’ after preseason debut with Maple Leafs

TORONTO -- Sergei Bobrovsky is the type of goalie who can intimidate even the most dangerous of shooters.

So, when Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews looked back toward his own zone early in the their preseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday and saw the two-time Vezina Trophy (2013, 2017) and Stanley Cup winner (2024, 2025) guarding his net, he was thrilled he no longer had to worry about trying to solve him in the offensive zone.

“It’s an absolute treat, I’m not going to lie,” Matthews said after the game. “I was so excited when we signed him and just to be around him. The stories, the hype around him, the professional that he is, how he looks after himself, just his focus. It’s extremely impressive."

Bobrovsky, who turned 38 on Sunday, signed a three-year, $21 million contract ($7 million average annual value) with Toronto on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the past seven seasons with the Florida Panthers, helping them win the Cup in back-to-back seasons.

He is seventh all-time among NHL goalies in wins (456), four from passing Henrik Lundqvist, and 34 from moving past Roberto Luongo for fourth. Bobrovsky is 17th all-time in games played (806) with the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Panthers.

Now he’s tasked with trying to help the Maple Leafs get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after they finished last in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s another opportunity,” Bobrovsky said. “That’s the hockey life. I’m here and I’m excited to be here, excited to be part of this team, part of this great group of guys and yeah, one moment at a time.”

Matthews vividly remembers the 2023 postseason, when Toronto was eliminated in five games by Florida in the second round. Bobrovsky had a .943 save percentage in that series, allowing 10 goals.

"I couldn’t be happier to have him on our side,” Matthews said.

Bobrovsky is also looking to bounce back after he went 27-23-1 with a 3.07 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage in his final season with the Panthers, who were riddled with injuries throughout last season and missed the playoffs. He allowed one goal on 11 shots in his preseason debut for the Maple Leafs, a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens. Bobrovsky was replaced by Anthony Stolarz at 8:44 of the second period.

“It was a good game,” Bobrovsky said. “The building was great, great energy. Great to play some hockey. Our guys did a great job to keep the shots on the outside.

“We will keep building. It’s the first game. We’re getting together, building chemistry, building with the emotions here, so just going to keep working.”

The goal Bobrovsky allowed came 51 seconds into the second period. On a 2-on-1, Zachary Bolduc swung a pass around Emil Andrae, who chased after him, to Phillip Danault at the top of the goal crease. Danault stopped, peeled off to the right side of the crease and flipped a shot over Bobrovsky’s glove while standing on the goal line.

Toronto will play split-squad preseason games against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. It will play its regular-season opener at home against Montreal on Sept. 29.

“He just wants reps like everybody else,” Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller said. “I’ll leave that to (goalie coach) Curtis Sanford; he talked to him and we split the game and then we will see what he wants to do for the next one. But it’s based on him. He probably wants the reps, feel the pucks. “I thought he looked good. It was a pretty nice goal by Danault, so give him credit.”

Bobrovsky’s arrival reunites him with Stolarz, who backed him up with the Panthers in 2023-24. He’s hoping the tandem will bring the same success they experienced during that championship season.

“It’s great, the reunion with him,” Bobrovsky said. “Great to support him and great to be with him. He’s a great goalie and we’re just excited to be here and help this team win.”