Sergei Bobrovsky might make an already competitive Vezina Trophy race crowded. If nothing else, he’s doing things that no other Columbus Blue Jackets goalie has managed.
Bobrovsky set a new franchise record on Sunday, grabbing his 34th win of 2016-17. He’s already won a Vezina for the Blue Jackets, but faced some rocky times between that honor in a shortened season and this record-breaking year.
With about a month left, “Bob” could make it pretty tough for anyone to set a new wins mark for Columbus ... perhaps himself included.
Sergei Bobrovsky (SO) earned his 34th win of the campaign to set a @BlueJacketsNHL record for wins in a season (Steve Mason: 33 in 2008-09). pic.twitter.com/pb881umwxx
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 6, 2017
Bobrovsky’s 34 wins aren’t just impressive compared to previous Blue Jackets goalies; he’s tied for second place in that category, with only Devan Dubnyk having more at 35.
Looking at things from a more recent perspective, he’s on a hot streak in the short term, too.
He’s now on a two-game shutout streak after Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets blanked the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Sunday.
After a 38-save masterpiece to shut down the Minnesota Wild, it was a little easier for Bobrovsky this time around, as he made a 20-save shutout. This streak represents some of his best work, sticking with the theme:
BACK TO BACK @pepsi shutouts for the first time in BOB's CAREER! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/fV38lrQ30j
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 6, 2017
As much as the Blue Jackets’ success is about the team being able to deploy waves of quality scorers at opponents, don’t forget about the impact of a healthy Bobrovsky.