Bobrovsky Welcomes Break, Ready for Final Push with Florida Panthers

SUNRISE — With the NHL taking a couple of weeks off for the 4 Nations Face-Off, some wonder how the Florida Panthers will come out of the gate when the season resumes Saturday night against Seattle.

Florida had eight players at the 4 Nations tournament, most of any team in the league.

Considering the Panthers have played more hockey than any other team having gone to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons, perhaps a concern the team could have used all the rest it could get was warranted.

Others, most notably coach Paul Maurice, thinks the experience his players are getting at the 4 Nations will be more beneficial than a couple days of R&R.

Except when it comes to goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

“He doesn’t need the rest, but that man knows how to use it,” Maurice said. “That’s not doing nothing for two weeks and then coming back. He will have a two-week schedule, and some of it will just be peaceful walks, rest, and relaxation. All of it will be geared for him to be dialed in, to be right when he comes back.”

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After beating the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 8, Bobrovsky spent a few minutes chatting with goalie coach Robb Tallas about his plans for the break.

It is a pretty specific plan.

There will be time for rest, yes, but Bobrovsky had no plans to be away from the ice — and the gym — for long.

“We always have a break, maybe a couple of days shorter, but we usually get the bye week,’’ Bobrovsky said after making 26 saves in Florida’s 5-1 win over the Senators that night.

“Get away from the game, get my mind away from the game but keep my body active. It’s a good opportunity to reset and refocus, get ready for the most important part of the season.”

The Florida Panthers went into the break with wins in five of six and a three-point lead on Toronto atop the Atlantic Division standings.

With 25 games remaining before the real season starts anew, the Panthers are in a good position to work their players’ work load as the weeks count down to zero.

That goes for their goaltending tandem of Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight.

Neither will be run into the ground, neither will sit too long where rust could set in.

As for this break, the Panthers are not the only team dealing with it: The entire league shut down for two weeks, meaning, everyone is in the same boat.

The Panthers were happy for some time away.

Believe it or not, Bobrovsky sounded like he was as well.

“You have to take advantage of this opportunity,’’ Bobrovsky said. “I feel great right now, we have a great group of guys, and a great team. It is a privilege to play for these guys and to be their goalie. I enjoy every day with them.”

ON DECK: GAME No. 58

SEATTLE KRAKEN at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
• Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Season Series (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Seattle: Panthers 2, Kraken 1 SO (Dec. 11). At Florida: Feb. 22.
• Last Season: Tied 1-1
• All-Time Regular Season Series: Seattle leads 4-3-0
• Up Next for the Panthers: Feb. 25 at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.