Throughout a dominant March, most Blue Jackets fans couldn't help but wonder if Sergei Bobrovsky was playing as well as any player in the NHL.
Turns out, just one was better during the month.
Bobrovsky was named the NHL's Second Star of March, finishing behind only the red-hot Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 28-year-old Russian netminder started 11 games in March and went 9-1-1 with a 1.09 goals-against average, .967 save percentage and four shutouts. He led the NHL in GAA, save percentage and shutouts and was tied for third in wins. Bobrovsky allowed two goals or less in nine of his 11 starts with four one-goal outings.
During the month, he made 30 or more saves seven times, including a pair of 40-plus save efforts Mar. 23 at Washington (a season-high 44 stops) and Mar. 28 vs. Buffalo (41 saves). Bobrovsky also posted three straight shutouts on Mar. 2 vs. Minnesota (38 saves), Mar. 5 at New Jersey (20 saves) and Mar. 7 vs. New Jersey (33 saves).
Bob is a witch. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/mEDXdXMf39
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 1, 2017
The impressive showing also vaulted him to favorite status in the race for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender this season. It is Bobrovsky's fourth monthly NHL honor in his career and second this year, as he was the league's No. 1 star in December.
The Lightning's Kucherov paced the NHL with 12 goals and added 10 assists on the way to 22 points in 14 games and also led the league with six power-play goals to lead his team to a 10-4-1 March and make up ground in the race for the last playoff spot in the east. His 22 points was a franchise record for a month.
Chicago's Patrick Kane was the No. 3 star. Kane also had 22 points on 10 goals and 12 helpers for a Blackhawks team atop the Western Conference standings.
