Zack Phillips criticized Sergei Bobrovsky following the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken on October 28.
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After the Maple Leafs fell 5-4 to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, October 28, Zack Phillips delivered a harsh critique of Sergei Bobrovsky during the postgame edition of Daily Faceoff’s “After Dark.”
Phillips said this was the second consecutive game Bobrovsky had “let the team down,” referring to back-to-back Leafs starts with Bobrovsky in net, including a game in which the Maple Leafs played the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Phillips argued the issue was not rooted in broader performance measures, saying, “I do not want to hear one single fu—-g word about Sergei Bobrovsky’s underlying analytics saved above expected or any of that fu—-g horses–t until this guy can find a way to A, make a save and B, which seems like an impossible task right now, win you a goddamn hockey game.”
He added, “Back-to-back games for the Toronto Maple Leafs where Sergei Bobrovsky goes in net and just lets you down,” and said the goaltender’s results were driving Toronto’s difficulties, including that the same player who “makes seven million dollars for two more years beyond this one is the reason that you are in a hole fighting and clawing your way back in it.”
Phillips acknowledged Toronto’s play in front of Bobrovsky while still tying the outcome to the goaltending, saying the Leafs had an opportunity to win and made it 4-4 with a minute and a half remaining, but that with the game still in reach, Toronto’s net was scored on late in the third period.
According to the postgame comments, Phillips referenced the Maple Leafs’ lineup situation, including the absence of Kirill Marchenko, John Tavares and Chris Tanev, and said Toronto had players such as Gavin McKenna, Bo Groulx and Vinni Lettieri drawing into the lineup.
The Heavy article also states that William Nylander was among the players criticized in addition to Bobrovsky, though the included excerpt contains the direct remarks from Phillips focused on Bobrovsky.
Toronto’s next game is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, with puck drop set for 4 p.m. Pacific Time and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
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