Sergei Bobrovsky Becomes Fastest Goalie in NHL History to 400 Wins

Sergei Bobrovsky dethroned Henrik Lundqivst to become the fastest goaltender in NHL history to 400 wins — at his home arena, with him in the crowd — in fitting fashion.

NEW YORK — Nobody in NHL history has won 400 games faster than Sergei Bobrovsky has.

He reached that feat in the most fitting way possible:

Making miraculous save after miraculous save to keep the Florida Panthers ahead. In Madison Square Garden, with previous record-holder Henrik Lundqvist in the crowd. Russian protege Igor Shesterkin coming up with some circus saves on the other end to turn the game into a goaltending clinc.

Bobrovksy stopped 24 saves on 25 shots to lead the Panthers to a 3-1 win, notching his 400th in his 707th game to clear Lundqvist’s previous record of 727.

He also became the first Russian in NHL history and the 14th goalie ever to do so.

“It’s special,” Bobrovsky said. “If you look on the list, those guys are all legends. And it’s definitely a privilege to be in the same line with them.”

When you look at the list of 13 names before him, there is a common theme here: 10 of them are Hall of Famers, with Marc-Andre Fleury likely to join them once he wraps up his farewell season. Only Curtis Joseph and Chris Osgood have been retired for more than 10 years and have yet to get that call from Toronto.

Bobrovsky is not likely to be left behind after winning two Vezina Trophies, leading many lackluster Columbus Blue Jackets teams to the playoffs, and leading the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history this past summer.

“It’s incredible,” coach Paul Maurice said of the feat. “I don’t mean any disrespect. His first nine years in the league, he wasn’t playing in front of very elite teams. He had to grind for those wins. So, his numbers are earned.

“That winning percentage is incredible. To do that with so many great netminders this game has had, I’m really happy that he gets that recognition while he’s at the peak of his game. I know the players really enjoyed it.”

Ever since Bobrovsky arrived to South Florida as a free agent in 2019, he has become a staple in the Panthers locker room, and one the team celebrated pretty hard for after racing to the locker room after the final buzzer sounded at MSG.

“We are celebrating him currently,” Matthew Tkachuk said after the win. “You know, he is the backbone of our team. What he’s done, not many have, and I don’t know if anybody has as fast as he has. So, what an incredible goalie, an incredible competitor and just an amazing guy and teammate.

“We’re so lucky to be able to play with him, so lucky to be able to learn from him and I just couldn’t be happier for him because nobody deserves it more.”

Bobrovsky, who does not like to gloat about personal milestones very often, had to step back and appreciate his teammates for that.

“It’s special to see those emotions from the guys,” Bobrovsky said. “I thank them for the wins, for the lots of wins that I have. And it’s just a privilege to be part of this team.”

This team has seen Bobrovsky put himself through a lot to get to this point — and stay at this point at 36 years of age.

“He’s always in the gym, working on the ice, working on his game before practices,” Dmitry Kulikov said. “Even in practices, we wants to make the big save. He never gives up, he is a true competitor and he is just top class.”

There is a reason why Bobrovsky is out there Olympic lifting on days he starts, on the ice going through a meticulous warm-up 30 minutes before the rest of his teammates take the ice for practice and constantly making sure he is doing all of the little things right in his routine: He loves the game.

“It’s the moments when you put the gear on and go out and play in the NHL that are so special,” Bobrovsky said. “Not many people can go through that, so I really appreciate that.

“I want to be in my best possible shape to take the best out of it, so that’s why. It’s all little pieces. I’ve been in professional hockey long enough, so I got my preparation and it’s still developing. I still enjoy the game like a little kid.”