- Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 10 of 11 shots in his first game as a Maple Leaf, a 4-1 loss to Montreal
- Auston Matthews said having the two-time Vezina Trophy winner on his side is “an absolute treat”
- Read below for where Bobrovsky sits on the all-time wins list
Sergei Bobrovsky spent years making Auston Matthews’ life difficult. Now the Maple Leafs captain gets to watch him work from the other end of the ice.
Matthews was asked after Saturday’s preseason opener what it is like having a two-time Vezina Trophy winner in his own net.
“It’s an absolute treat, I’m not going to lie. 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.”
Auston Matthews
He spoke first in Toronto’s post-game availability, with Bobrovsky up at the 6:23 mark. Watch the full session:
His first night in blue and white lasted a little more than 28 minutes. Bobrovsky stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced at Scotiabank Arena before Anthony Stolarz took over at 8:44 of the second period.
Montreal got to him once, 51 seconds into that period. Zachary Bolduc swung a pass around Emil Andrae to Phillip Danault at the top of the crease, and Danault peeled off to the right side and lifted it over the glove from the goal line.
Take a look at the finish:
Bobrovsky, who turned 38 on Sunday, was not reading much into one night.
“It was a good game. 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.”
Sergei Bobrovsky
Toronto signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract on July 1 after seven seasons and two Stanley Cups in Florida. He arrives with 456 career wins, seventh all time, four short of Henrik Lundqvist and 34 behind Roberto Luongo for fourth.
The captain saw that work from the wrong side in 2023, when Florida knocked Toronto out in five games in the second round and Bobrovsky posted a .943 save percentage in the series.
“I couldn’t be happier to have him on our side.”
Auston Matthews
A year ago the Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference, which is why they handed $7 million a season to a goalie coming off a 3.07 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage.
Split-squad games against Ottawa are up Wednesday, and the regular season opens Sept. 29 at home against Montreal. Gavin McKenna also made his first NHL appearance in Saturday’s loss.
