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Sergei Bobrovsky Needs to be Better if the Blue Jackets Want to Come Back

By Steven Perkins

Apr 4, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) guards the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) guards the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a second tough loss people are starting to wonder where the blame should lie. Part of game two’s issues were in the crease. I’m by no means bashing Sergei Bobrovsky, but two of the three goals he allowed should have never gone in.

Goaltender is by far the hardest position on the ice and I respect the hell out of anyone willing to stand in there. But let’s talk about the harsh reality that Sergei Bobrovsky has not play like a Vezina Trophy candidate in the first two games of the playoffs. The thought has been echoed by some in the Twittersphere.

Oops

Of Bob’s three goals allowed, two of them were, in my opinion, his fault. The first goal was obviously on him. He’s a goaltender that likes to be aggressive with the puck and sometimes makes beautiful passes all the way to the far blue line. Bobrovsky loves to catch teams in the middle of changes and work the puck up the ice. But last night, he got too aggressive and had the puck stolen from him behind the net. He scrambled to get back but he couldn’t recover in time and the Jackets fell behind 1-0 despite leading in shots 10-1.

The Jackets were dominating play and had the crowd pretty quiet in Pittsburgh. But as soon as you let Sidney Crosby score, you know the place is going to perk up quick.

Fundamental Errors

Fast forward about a period and a half to the first couple minutes of the third. Bobrovsky way over commits on a pass to Crosby in the middle as he challenges well outside his goal crease. Crosby then slides the puck over to Malkin, who’s feet are below the bottom of the circle and about three feet from the boards. Bobrovsky then fails to slide to the post but rather about a foot from it. Malkin’s shot bounces off Bob’s pad and just like that, two minutes into the third, the Jackets are down 3-1. You can see for yourself here.

Bobrovsky is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and he’s proven that this year, but he has yet to prove that in these playoffs. He admitted to The Columbus dispatch he made a mistake on the first goal and that he could “be better”. I think we see Bobrovsky again tomorrow, but expect him to be on a short leash with Korpisalo ready to go if need be.

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