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Boston Bruins: The goaltenders that’ll decide the Atlantic Division

By Luke Ryan

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 12: Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gives up a goal against John Moore #27 of the Boston Bruins during the third period at Amalie Arena on December 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 12: Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gives up a goal against John Moore #27 of the Boston Bruins during the third period at Amalie Arena on December 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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david pastrnak bruins
BOSTON – OCTOBER 22: Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) scores the first goal of the game in the first period as he puts the puck between his own legs and then through the legs of Toronto goalie Michael Hutchinson (30). The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Oct. 22, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

The Atlantic contenders’ starters

In assessing the goalies that could make or break the Boston Bruins’ hold on the Atlantic Division, it’s impossible not to group these three together.

There are still plenty of fixtures between the top four teams in the Atlantic; in fact, the Panthers and Maple Leafs meet tonight.

Points taken from rivals within the division are going to be vital in the run-in and for that to happen; they will all be hoping their starting goalies are on-form. We have a look at what they have been up to of late:

Sergeri Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)

In his three most recent outings, he’s conceded 3 or more goals; in fact, Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been living up to the huge contract the Panthers signed him to in the off-season.

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For a goalie with a career save percentage of 0.919 and goals against average of 2.46 coming into the year, he was expected to be a key piece of the puzzle in Florida. People did question the size and length of the deal, but the potential for age decline was the concern, not the immediate worry.

However, we shouldn’t rest on our laurels; Bobrovsky will be determined to turn things around and drag the Panthers into at the very least a secure wild-card position.

Right now, he sits at a goals against average of 3.26 and 0.897% as his save percentage and has found himself over-shadowed by his backup Chris Driedger.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Unlike his fellow Russian also playing in Florida, Andrei Vasilevskiy has been ever-consistent to his previous years’ play. While the offensive prowess of the Lightning often wins games, he still has to hold steady at the back.

He is among the best goalies in the league this year in terms of average Goals Against. This may speak to the Tampa defense as much as his goaltending but either way, with his team surging, it makes for concerning reading for Boston Bruins fans.

Frederick Andersen (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The final name on the list is the consistently inconsistent Frederick Anderson in Toronto. He has had yet another year where he showed strong enough form to be named to the NHL All-Star Game and then promptly conceded 29 goals in 9 games in January.

He still could factor in the Atlantic Division race though; he’s returned from the All-Star break looking sharper and the Leafs seem to have tightened up their defensive play, even if they still concede a lot.

Given the Leafs and Lightning meet three times before the season is finished, he really could be a factor in the Boston Bruins keeping their grip on top spot.

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