Paul Maurice makes bold statement ahead of Game 2 vs. Carolina

The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers played the sixth-longest game in NHL history. Matthew Tkachuk broke the tie at the 19:47 mark of the fourth OT, ending roughly six hours after Thursday night’s puck drop. And Game 2 in less than 48 hours.

That however didn’t stop Panthers head coach Paul Maurice from making the bold statement on Friday that he has no concerns about Sergei Bobrovsky being recharged and ready to go for Game 2 tomorrow.

In this epic Game 1, Bobrovsky was on the ice for 2:19.47 — and stopped 63 shots during that time. The Russian goalie finished the game tied for the 10th-most saves in a single game in NHL history with Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Bernie Parent, and Patrick Roy. Bobrovsky also became just the third goaltender (Juuse Saros, Curtis Joseph) since the 1950s to stop more than 50 shots in back-to-back playoff games.

Maurice turned to Bobrovsky with the Boston series on the line and Bobrovsky has been 8-1-0 with a .935/2.12 since Game 5 against the Bruins.

And it sounds like he will keep going on Saturday.

As for the Hurricanes, head coach Rod Brind’Amour hesitated when asked about his starting goalie for Game 2. He said he could consider giving Freddie Andersen the night off after the four overtimes, though there is no way defenseman Brent Burns needs to rest.

“We’ve got a 38-year-old out there. … I can tell you right now he’d punch me in the face.”

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