Consternation in Florida: Sergei Bobrovsky not at the Panthers practice

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Cooper Godin
June 23, 2024 (8:50)

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The biggest night of the 2023-24 season is set for Monday as the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 for the Stanley Cup.

Both teams arrived in South Florida on Saturday and today, the Florida Panthers took to the ice for their final practice of the season, but there was a very notable absence.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports and Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was NOT at the team's practice on Sunday morning, which is very uncommon given that he's normally the first person on the ice.

Gulitti added that backup Anthony Stolarz, who has seen game action in the Stanley Cup Final, and prospect Spencer Knight, who had a solid year with their AHL affiliate in Charlotte, were the only two goaltenders on the ice this morning.

"Sergei Bobrovsky not at @FlaPanthers practice today. Not something common." Lavoie said.

"Oddly, Sergei Bobrovsky is not one of the two goalies warming up before the Panthers' practice, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Anthony Stolarz and Spencer Knight are out there.

Bobrovsky is usually the first one on the ice, well before this, on a practice day" Gulitti said.

It's unclear why Sergei Bobrovsky wasn't on the ice this morning for practice and we may possibly know more information later today once Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice meets with the media.

Could it be a bit of gamesmanship, trying not to let the Oilers know who they'll face tomorrow night? Is Bobrovsky dealing with an undisclosed injury? Or could it be that he's just getting some rest? All three of these are possibilities and we'll have to wait and see who leads the team out onto the ice for Game 7 tomorrow night.

The Novokuznetsk, Russia native has been solid for the Florida Panthers all season long and in 22 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he has a record of 15-5-2 with a 2.35 goals against average, a .906 save percentage and two shutouts.

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for tomorrow night in Florida with puck drop just after 8 pm ET. Who do you think will be hoisting the Stanley Cup when all is said and done? Let us know what you think in the poll below.