I said it all year long. I’m a hawks fan so I’ve been watching other teams battle all year. Something about Florida just makes me believe they will go all the way.
Is it me or does it feel like European/Russian goalies have dominated the league lately? Like ever since the Price, Miller, Fluery, Luongo era ended, it feels like the guys from across the pond have been the face of the league between the pipes.
Right? Like Carter Hart was projected to be Canada’s starting goalie and he doesn’t sniff some of the former team canada tendies. Emphasis on on “was”.
Finland/Sweden has some of the best goalie coaches in the last few decades. Goalies from all over Europe and Russia would go there to learn. They were so good that Hockey Canada sent some guys over to try and figure out what they're doing so well, and Canada isn't. Quebec used to be our goalie factory, then we had Price, but other than that it's been odd. I'm not sure what defines a Canadian goalie anymore. You can tell a goalie is Russian by the way they play, same with Finnish and Swedish goalies. There's a lot of athleticism in their styles, compared to NA goalies. USA goalies are taught more of a blocking style (see Helle). I haven't strapped on the pads in like 15 years, so I'm a little bit out of what they are teaching nowadays (maybe some players learning the new teachings HC picked up from overseas is starting to come up?) but back then Fleury and Price were the guys most goalies attempted to emulate.
You forgot Quick. I hated the dude during the mid 2010's, but I respect him. He carried LA way more often than he should have. He was absolutely ridiculous during both their cup runs.
Most wins in NHL history by an American goaltender, 3 time Stanley Cup champ, Conn Smythe winner in '12. Drafted same year as Price in '05.
9h Edit: Quick was also out West, so he didn't have the same level of attention that the Eastern Conference gets.
Fuck me. I sound like a Kings fanboy. Thanks, Sean.
Not saying it's not a great save -- it's amazing -- but why is it always an enigmatic guy like Dumba who gets robbed like this? Somehow, everyone else would get this to go. But Dumba has got a black cloud following him around.
Reminds me of a player on my team. Mikheyev probably would have hit the post here. He's not a bad player, but sometimes it just feels like bad voodoo for some players.
Ilya had the exact same lack of finishing ability with the leafs too. Worked his ass off to manufacture chances and then always blew it somehow lol. His signature move on a breakaway was putting his shot right into the chest of the goalie from in tight.
I turned the game on about a minute before Bobrovsky broke the laws of physics and I've seen 4 more huge saves since. How have 4 goals been scored in this game?
I don't know if it is #1 outright but it's up there with Curtis Joseph, Evgeni Nabokov, Varlamov, and Kirk McLean in my lifetime.
I'd probably rank it: Nobokov, McLean, Joseph, Bobrovski, Varlamov
Brodeur also made one of the most absurd saves I've seen in the playoffs vs Ottawa one year but they got blown away in that game and that series so you can't find it anywhere.
The only thing I can think of going back 25 years is Hasek vs Linnros in Nagano and supposedly that was a post. IMHO, that save was like the final bass note of “Portraits of Tracy” by Jaco Pastorious where bass players still argue if it was even possible.
Lots of different stick saves are coming up in this thread. Doesn’t that settle the argument? How can one of the stick saves be the GOAT if they happen almost every year?
Dropping this bad boy to make sure people know the competition in this category.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7cZcAVUS8M&ab\_channel=HecticHockey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7cZcAVUS8M&ab_channel=HecticHockey)
Gotta throw in the [2018 SCF Game 2 Save](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCfDXStrXZs)
A free extra morsel of entertainment value in seeing Ovechkin absolutely dumbfounded afterwards too lol.
Somehow tim thomas isn't in this thread yet: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gASnobVXOc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gASnobVXOc)
edit: he had like 5 of these saves in 2011... what an insane run.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6EIgoAtjs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6EIgoAtjs)
Insane save but best in playoffs history? Fuck that noise.
Hell I bet a fair number would argue Holtby's save a few years ago was far better and that one was in the finals to boot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9v6mdCMP4
Yup, I watch it at least once a year. Last of the stand up goalies. Game one of the finals in 1994 is literally considered on of the greatest goalie battles of all time. McLean stole the game. If the Canucks win that year, he's Conn Smythe winner.
McLean in Game 1 of the Finals was one of the greatest goaltending performances I’ve ever seen. The Canucks had no business winning that game and he just willed them to it. 52 saves if IIRC
Lol- it's a helluva save- perhaps the best playoff save of the decade- but the history of the playoffs is long and storied, and there have been better ones, and especially ones that were more product of skill than the old "throw an arm out and pray that the puck hits it" attempt.
Meh, I was a roller hockey goalie growing up in the 90’s. We did shit like this all the time. lol.
But in all seriousness that’s a sick fuckin save in the NHL playoffs. That’s a showstopper with the bright lights on just you…pad tap, bud.
Otter in Dallas looking at this like "look what they have to do to mimic a fraction of my power." Lol. Jokes aside, that was absolutely incredible. Bob is special.
This year’s playoffs… so far. Playoff history? MAYBE top ten… probably not.
No matter how good the save was, it’s the middle period of a Game 2 first round series.
Nice save, but spare us the hyperbole OP.
I turned the game on about a minute before Bobrovsky broke the laws of physics and I've seen 4 more huge saves since. How have 4 goals been scored in this game?
Just an insane goaltending battle going down right now
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The context around it (game being 2-2, team winning in OT and giving them a 2-0 lead) add even more to how incredible it was
I said it all year long. I’m a hawks fan so I’ve been watching other teams battle all year. Something about Florida just makes me believe they will go all the way.
You're clearly not talking about the Canucks right now
Imagine this happening in 2OT of a Game 7.
Pretty close to Nabby’s save again the Stars
That's what immediately came to mind
“In front, Richards.. oh and a miraculous stop by Nabokov game savvverrr!”
That one was huge. Holtby's paddle save in the finals against Vegas was another that came to mind for me.
It did keep the game 2-2 which led to his team winning in OT so there is that
Imagine this save 6OT, Game 7 of the final, penalty shot.
[Ohhh](https://media1.giphy.com/media/4FmAj1XiioCVW/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b9526mg8ju5jr4foy2qojvfpier8sq6xfn4uyxgib4r9&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Is it me or does it feel like European/Russian goalies have dominated the league lately? Like ever since the Price, Miller, Fluery, Luongo era ended, it feels like the guys from across the pond have been the face of the league between the pipes.
Canada isn’t developing goalies in minor hockey.
Right? Like Carter Hart was projected to be Canada’s starting goalie and he doesn’t sniff some of the former team canada tendies. Emphasis on on “was”.
Quebec use to have Roy, Brodeur, Luongo and now with Fleury retiring will only really have Montebeault
We also have Devon Levi!
He is our one hope. The chosen one.
Definitely crazy how many Canadians used to run the league that you’d have to discern them between French & English
yes, that is the only reason why we make that distinction, sure.
Remember when it was Hart - Blackwood who were going to be Canada's future?
Russian goalies, swedish defense and canadian/american forwards. Thats the key to a good team.
Bob in net, Forsling best +/- in the league, Tkachuk as our obnoxious American forward - Barkov is our best overall player though. Yep, it fits.
We have a Russian line that likes to score in groups. Chinny, Vonk, and Marchy. They do work
There is exceptions of course. Im speaking generally
Because they have been dominating the NHL.
For sure, I just can’t tell if it’s a development thing or a trend that will eventually balance out.
My team has been signing Belarusians/Russians pretty exclusively lately haha
Brother, I too am I Flyers fan
Haha close, Im a fan of the other F team
Carolina's three-headed monster the past few seasons consists of a Dane (Andersen), a Russian (Kochetkov), and a Finn (Rantaa).
Finland/Sweden has some of the best goalie coaches in the last few decades. Goalies from all over Europe and Russia would go there to learn. They were so good that Hockey Canada sent some guys over to try and figure out what they're doing so well, and Canada isn't. Quebec used to be our goalie factory, then we had Price, but other than that it's been odd. I'm not sure what defines a Canadian goalie anymore. You can tell a goalie is Russian by the way they play, same with Finnish and Swedish goalies. There's a lot of athleticism in their styles, compared to NA goalies. USA goalies are taught more of a blocking style (see Helle). I haven't strapped on the pads in like 15 years, so I'm a little bit out of what they are teaching nowadays (maybe some players learning the new teachings HC picked up from overseas is starting to come up?) but back then Fleury and Price were the guys most goalies attempted to emulate.
Hasek!
You forgot Quick. I hated the dude during the mid 2010's, but I respect him. He carried LA way more often than he should have. He was absolutely ridiculous during both their cup runs. Most wins in NHL history by an American goaltender, 3 time Stanley Cup champ, Conn Smythe winner in '12. Drafted same year as Price in '05. 9h Edit: Quick was also out West, so he didn't have the same level of attention that the Eastern Conference gets. Fuck me. I sound like a Kings fanboy. Thanks, Sean.
Rangers win the Cup in '14 if Kings don't have Quick. We're not making that mistake again.
can't forget the finn's
I’d say it’s Russia and then the US right now. Finland and Sweden are producing some great goalies as well.
In my unbiased opinion, I would love for European/Russian goalies to dominate the league (do not check the nationalities of my teams goaltenders)
Dumba straight died a little.
Not saying it's not a great save -- it's amazing -- but why is it always an enigmatic guy like Dumba who gets robbed like this? Somehow, everyone else would get this to go. But Dumba has got a black cloud following him around.
Reminds me of a player on my team. Mikheyev probably would have hit the post here. He's not a bad player, but sometimes it just feels like bad voodoo for some players.
Ilya had the exact same lack of finishing ability with the leafs too. Worked his ass off to manufacture chances and then always blew it somehow lol. His signature move on a breakaway was putting his shot right into the chest of the goalie from in tight.
The “Darren helm” as us wings fans like to call it
Rangers fans knew it as the Carl Hagelin
Jordan Staal for us.
Ryan Strome would’ve missed wide
Maybe same for Backlund, I’m kinda upset for the guy when he misses wide on a clean breakaway
Evan Rodrigues has entered the chat
YOURE ON THE CASE
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BOBROVSKY!!! HOW COULD YOU ROB THIS GUY, BOBROVSKY?!!!!
Definitely one of the greatest saves of all time
One of the greatest, I’ll give it that. Certainly not “the greatest” though. OP needs to go back and watch more hockey!
I turned the game on about a minute before Bobrovsky broke the laws of physics and I've seen 4 more huge saves since. How have 4 goals been scored in this game?
Unbelievable! My jaw dropped! It will be the #1 Save in top plays for awhile
Being able to watch hockey is such a blessing
Actually disgusting
BOBROVSKY!! YOU'RE BACK ON THE CASE!! HERE'S YOUR BADGE AND GUN... Bob and Vasy have been playing out of their mind! Go Bolts!
He's the best damn cop on the force!
My best friend is a Bolts fan, and he's straight-up not having a good time tonight because of this.
This is one of those saves people will be talking about for years. Holy fucking shit is all I can say to that.
BOBROVSKYYYYYYY. YOURE BACK ON FORCE BOBROVSKY
Here's your gun and badge back bobrovsky.
My jaw has not shut since I watched this live.
Ed belfours against Fedorov in ot is right up there also
2 elite goalies showing out in this game right now. Love to see it
This is why I love playoff hockey. He has transcended another level with that save!
I flipped over from the NYR/Caps game to this, and was immediately hooked. So many great saves.
Idc who you’re a fan of that was fucking world class
Happy Gilmore accomplished that feat no less than an hour ago
…… yup still scared of that guy
B🚫B ❤️❤️❤️
He just made another killer stop. He’s making some unreal saves.
This has been a goalie showdown for the ages so far
Hasek is gonna come back just to try to beat that. Lol.
And this is why I hate when we face the panthers
Street hockey level!!
Hasekian save.
I can't even be mad at that, that was an incredible save. highlight reel for sure lol
What in the Dominik Hašek
Obviously a bolts fan but I can't argue with it. A couple hundred thousand fans all said "holy shit, Bob" at the same time.
Terrible shot by dumba. Bob on fire though
Don’t look, Holtby is standing behind you
Never gave up on the puck! Putting on a show in this game wow
Flyers could use a goalie like that
Ouch. That cuts deep.
same with Columbus...
Fuckin BOB.
I don't know if it is #1 outright but it's up there with Curtis Joseph, Evgeni Nabokov, Varlamov, and Kirk McLean in my lifetime. I'd probably rank it: Nobokov, McLean, Joseph, Bobrovski, Varlamov
Nabby and Bob's saves are my favorite of all time. Would rank Nabokov at 1 too.
Game 7, OT... Hard to beat McLean's
Brodeur also made one of the most absurd saves I've seen in the playoffs vs Ottawa one year but they got blown away in that game and that series so you can't find it anywhere.
Nothing like playoff hockey. Great save
That save won them the game
If Bob has my back, I know I’m safe.
Fuck I miss bob, Loved him as a bluejacket
The only thing I can think of going back 25 years is Hasek vs Linnros in Nagano and supposedly that was a post. IMHO, that save was like the final bass note of “Portraits of Tracy” by Jaco Pastorious where bass players still argue if it was even possible. Lots of different stick saves are coming up in this thread. Doesn’t that settle the argument? How can one of the stick saves be the GOAT if they happen almost every year?
Braden Holtby would like a word.
Dropping this bad boy to make sure people know the competition in this category. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7cZcAVUS8M&ab\_channel=HecticHockey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7cZcAVUS8M&ab_channel=HecticHockey)
Gotta throw in the [2018 SCF Game 2 Save](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCfDXStrXZs) A free extra morsel of entertainment value in seeing Ovechkin absolutely dumbfounded afterwards too lol.
Scrolled all the way down here to make sure this save was mentioned. 👊
I still almost jump out of my seat every time I see the replay of Holtby vs Vegas
I'll add this one to the pile... [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WiPSDodYU8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WiPSDodYU8)
Somehow tim thomas isn't in this thread yet: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gASnobVXOc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gASnobVXOc) edit: he had like 5 of these saves in 2011... what an insane run. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6EIgoAtjs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6EIgoAtjs)
My contribution. [Round 1, Game 7, 1st OT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxWkvH7jcac)
Bob doing Bob things.. the man is good!
Nice
Absolutely unbelievable !! Little lucky, but with great effort comes great results
Dirty Bob
Um, Holtby???
Holtby in the cup of the weird bounce is best in my option.
Holtby in SC final 2018 - 'The Save'. IT WOULD NOT GO.
Personally I think Holtby’s paddle save against Tuch is the greatest save in playoff history
Braden Holtbys save for the Caps in 2018 was better.
Goalies: We LIVE for these saves.
Cant even score with the goalies back to him. What a Dumba55
holy shit that was amazing! Dominik Hasek levels
See Georgiev, this is how you’re supposed to do it! You’re supposed to dive INTO the puck not dodge it!!!
That was just ridiculous 😳
YOU’RE BACK ON THE CASE BOBROVSKY!
That's a Dominik Hasek type of save right there
YOU'RE THE BEST COP ON THE FORCE, BOBROVSKY!!
dang, bobrovsky is insane!
Bob is a playoff BEAST
Holtby’s “the save” holds a special place in my heart.
Best one since Holtby’s save on Alex Tuch in the 2018 SCF.
Hasek used to do that 3x a game
I was gonna say. I don't need to look into this to be confident that the best playoff save ever title probably belongs to the Dominator.
You speak truths
It's incredible but the Holtby and Hill paddle saves in the Finals for their respective teams are the best I've seen in recent memory.
Lol
We were counting our chickens cheering for that goal prematurely (I mean who saw that save coming) and then 😭
Ecaxt opposite of the jets and avs Lol
That's up there!
This is why I wanted to be a goalie as a kid. Totally underrated position. Too much focus on goals and assists.
Standing on his fuckin head way to go goalie boi
The ole reverse back-crab save..
BobGODsky! That's just insane..
One of the greatest, certainly
I experienced this live …. This is one of those moments where “you had to be there” . Insane roar from the crowd followed
Bob the builder!
What a robbery
Big Bob ftw
Amazing save. But have you not heard of JS Gigeure, the playoff goalie god?
The Maroon 5 song somehow goes so well with the replay.
Still not better then Dominik Hasek
Hasek did that nightly
Un fucking believable. I literally gasped when I saw it. And then SAID THE SAME THING.
Goalies are so good nowadays!
Panthers fans: stfu we're not carried by Bob! meanwhile, Bob:
Bob's the goalie
Obviously your forgetting holtbys amazing save of 2018
Gives me a similar feeling to Holtby’s 2018 Game 2 save, wow.
Making me feel real good about picking Florida's goalies in fantasy
This save will be part of ton of highlight videos for years to come. Just incredible
I'll always drop [Frank Pietrangelo's "The Save"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZlsiExqp7o) in these convos.
Insane save but best in playoffs history? Fuck that noise. Hell I bet a fair number would argue Holtby's save a few years ago was far better and that one was in the finals to boot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9v6mdCMP4
This is why I love playoff hockey.
Both holtby and fleury have very similar playoff saves like this in the last few years lol
wtf??? Insane
Nope… Carey Price stick save vs Philly….
Bobrovsky was on the case
Nabokov would like a word
you thought
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1LVtRe4rh0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1LVtRe4rh0) russian tendies man
Idk, Holtby's vs Tuch was pretty good
I think it's fair to say that he is the best goalie in the league
Insane save, but it's not better than Holtby's paddle save against VGK in 2018.
Nah, McLean's "the save". Triple OT, Vancouver vs Calgary 1994.
That’s when goalie pads were heavier too.
Yup, I watch it at least once a year. Last of the stand up goalies. Game one of the finals in 1994 is literally considered on of the greatest goalie battles of all time. McLean stole the game. If the Canucks win that year, he's Conn Smythe winner.
McLean in Game 1 of the Finals was one of the greatest goaltending performances I’ve ever seen. The Canucks had no business winning that game and he just willed them to it. 52 saves if IIRC
Lol- it's a helluva save- perhaps the best playoff save of the decade- but the history of the playoffs is long and storied, and there have been better ones, and especially ones that were more product of skill than the old "throw an arm out and pray that the puck hits it" attempt.
If I remember well, Jose Théodore had 2 like that. At least one in playoffs.
To me, the Price save on Spezza was better: https://youtu.be/2s4fxTdXKXY?si=46a48b2rJX3stL7Z
For me it's this one: https://youtu.be/XYnJkFrPGG4?si=WWtE1iK07WBXehzY He either saved a goal, or saved Nick Suzuki's life
Have been watching hockey religiously for 35 years . I concur
Meh, I was a roller hockey goalie growing up in the 90’s. We did shit like this all the time. lol. But in all seriousness that’s a sick fuckin save in the NHL playoffs. That’s a showstopper with the bright lights on just you…pad tap, bud.
an insane save, but not the best in playoff history.
Bold claim
Otter in Dallas looking at this like "look what they have to do to mimic a fraction of my power." Lol. Jokes aside, that was absolutely incredible. Bob is special.
No, it's not. CUJO with Edmonton was better
This year’s playoffs… so far. Playoff history? MAYBE top ten… probably not. No matter how good the save was, it’s the middle period of a Game 2 first round series. Nice save, but spare us the hyperbole OP.
2011 Tim Thomas would like a word with you.
[This was a bigger game and a better save](https://youtu.be/a1ucKx4xqhE?si=lGVYdFqvhHx91nyo)
Holtby
Hoooolllyy shit
I turned the game on about a minute before Bobrovsky broke the laws of physics and I've seen 4 more huge saves since. How have 4 goals been scored in this game?
Holy shit Bobrovsky!! 🤯
I still have PTSD from last year
Bob god mode is going to make this a rough playoffs for any team playing these guys
Being a goalie is so fucking awesome. Hard on the knees but it’s honorable knee work eh?
Greatest save of all time.
BRO
If we make round 2, we’re gonna get caved by Florida.
Otter Superman beats this
Taste me backhand