SUNRISE — There's something about watching a peak athlete in a state of peak performance.
There's something about watching the best hockey player in the world, Connor McDavid of the Oilers, yes, but there's something better about watching the best hockey player on the ice, Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers.
Bobrobsky.
High scoring chance after high scoring chance. High danger chance after high danger chance.
It was Sergei Bobrovksy on a Saturday night at Amerant Bank Arena, turning away shot after shot and keying Florida's 3-0 win over Edmonton in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
It was turning away McDavid on a strong drive to the net and then stone-walling breakaways by Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins later in the first period.
It was Bobrovsky, stymieing an Oilers offense with supreme speed and skill.
Bobrovsky, 35, was well-rested and sharp. As sharp as ever.
More:Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers shut down Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1
It was 32 shots faced and 32 saves made.
"They obviously have an elite offense," Bobrovsky said on the bench afterwards, speaking with ESPN. "It was a really hard game. They are really smart players. And it was a fun challenge."
Sergei Bobrovsky did it all for Florida Panthers in Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton is going to have a very difficult time winning this series if it continues.
They entered play as pretty heavy underdogs, anyway.
The Oilers' 25-year-old goalie, Stuart Skinner, who has had five bad games this postseason, who has been pulled by his coach this postseason, gave up early goals to Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues, falling in a 2-0 hole while facing few shots.
As we have learned time after time in this postseason, shot attempts can mean little.
Florida has a significant edge in goal and that's the most important position on the ice, just as quarterback is so clearly the most important position on the football field.
The Panthers are deep and strong and so effective on the penalty kill.
The Panthers have the valuable experience of their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023.
They are balanced and patient and steady. And physical, too.
Florida Panthers are better in goal and more balanced, too
Edmonton is so top-heavy, with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the German sharpshooter, taking up so much attention and so much of the scoring load.
It was 10 total shots for McDavid and Draisaitl on Saturday, and well, you know how many entered Florida's goal.
The pressure on Edmonton's players must be immense, carrying the weight of a nation - Canada - which somehow has not won a Stanley Cup since 1993.
"USA! USA!" Panthers fans chanted here in the second period.
No matter that Bobrovsky is Russian. And star Aleksander Barkov is Finnish.
And that Matthew Tkachuk is from Canada. He's a Florida Man, now!
And it is clear the former Calgary Flame is not a friendly rival of the Oilers players.
Things may get progressively chipper in this Final.
"Bob-by! Bob-by!" Panthers fans chanted here in the third.
Stanley Cup Final: Panthers frustrate Oilers in Game 1
The Oilers showed frustration in this one. That's because they often did control play. And they often did get the better chances.
But this Bobrovsky is going to be hard to beat.
It's hard to even recall that in each of the previous two preseasons, Florida tried to lean on other goalies, with Bobrovsky benched.
Was Bobrovsky washed up? Was Bobrovsky done? Was Bobrovsky a buyout candidate?
Florida tried to roll with youngster Spencer Knight in 2022.
Florida tried to go with journeyman Alex Lyon in 2023.
And then, well, Bobrovsky rediscovered Bobrovsky.
He has three career postseason shutouts, all in the last two seasons.
He had none in the first 12 seasons of his Hall of Fame career.
With the trust of coach Paul Maurice and his superbly-sound defensive system, Bobrovsky has regenerated.
They say he is a relentless worker. They say he is consistent in his routine.
We know that he can be oh-so-spectacular. He is an acrobat with a goalie mask.
Bobrovsky rarely says much. Nobody seems quite sure how Bobrovsky rediscovered Bobrovsky.
But did he ever.
Is there anyone more locked into their job at the moment than Bob?
They say McDavid is the best player in the world. He's led the league in scoring five times. He's been league MVP three times.
No matter on Saturday. What mattered was this: In Game 1, Bobovsky was the best player in Sunrise.
Joe Schad is a sports journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Help support our work by subscribing today.
