LOS ANGELES -- Sergei Bobrovsky is still feeling great. Though only five goalies have started more games than he has this season, he insists he’s not tired. And more importantly, his groin hasn’t acted up again.
“Last season was tough, especially with injuries,” the Blue Jackets’ star netminder said today. “So far, I’m happy that I’m healthy. That’s the biggest thing for me. I’m just happy to play hockey, being around the guys, with my teammates.”
Bobrovsky was limited to just 37 starts in 2015-16. He’s already made 39 this season, and Columbus still has 34 games to go.
“I love to play, I love the game,” he said. “I feel really good right now.”
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Bobrovsky doesn’t know if the weight he dropped during the offseason (almost 20 pounds, so not an insignificant amount) has helped him stay healthy. But he’s glad he decided to do it.
“I just felt I would have more of an advantage, being lighter and quicker,” he said.
His numbers, 28-9-2 with a .929 save percentage, certainly support that notion. In fact, only Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk might have a stronger Vezina Trophy case at this point.
Bobrovksy is likely to remain busy after the break. The Jackets lost their veteran backup, Curtis McElhinney, on waivers to Toronto, and youngsters Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg still have some developing to do.
“I’m happy to help my teammates at any time,” said Bobrovsky. “It’s good that the organization and the coach trusts me and that they put me in lots of games.”