Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky joins 400-win club

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky added one more accolade to his Hall of Fame career on Thursday.

In Florida’s 3-1 win over the New York Rangers, the 36-year-old netminder picked up his 400th career NHL win — becoming the fastest goalie in NHL history to do so in just 707 games.

Bobrovsky also had the honor of becoming the first Russian goalie to reach that milestone.

Over the 107 year history of the National Hockey League, only 14 goaltenders have reached 400 wins in their career.

“It’s special, if you look on the list, those guys are legends,” Bobrovsky said after his 400th win. “It’s definitely a privilege for me to be in the same line with them.”

Currently 10 of those goaltenders are in the Hockey Hall of Fame — with Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury soon to make it 12 once they hang up the skates.

“We’re celebrating him currently, Matthew Tkachuk said after Bobrovsky secured win 400. “He’s the backbone of our team. What he’s done, not many people have and I don’t know if anybody has as fast as he has. What an incredible goalie, incredible competitor, just an amazing guy and teammate. I’m so lucky to be able to play with him — to be able to learn from him — I couldn’t be happier for him, because nobody deserves it more.”

Bobrovsky joins former Panther and Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo as the only other Florida goalie to join the exclusive 400-win club.

“The way he approaches his preparation, the way he recovers, the effort he puts into working at or everyday… everything is calculated,” said fellow countrymen and Panthers teammate Dmitry Kulikov. “Can’t say enough good things about him. He’s just too professional.”

After joining the Panthers as a free agent in 2019, the two-time Vezina winner now sits third all-time in Panthers history with 250 games played.

“That winning percentage is incredible,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “To do something [like] that — with so many of the other great netminders this game has had. I’m really happy for him, that he gets that recognition while he’s at the peak of his game. I know the players really enjoyed it after.”

Backstopping the Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2023 and 2024, Bobrovsky won the first Stanley Cup of his then 14-year NHL career last season in Florida.