Goalies have been showstoppers

Bobrovsky, Shesterkin matching each other save-for-save in Eastern final

- TIM REYNOLDS

The NHL Eastern Conference final has been a goaltending duel, and nobody should have expected otherwise.

It seems fitting that the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers are knotted at one game apiece heading into Game 3 on Sunday afternoon, given that a pair of Russian netminders and Vezina Trophy winners Sergei Bobrovsky for the Panthers, Igor Shesterkin for the Rangers have basically matched each other save for save.

Bobrovsky has allowed two goals. Shesterkin has also allowed two if you don't count an own goal deflected in by a teammate and an empty-netter in Game 1. And the similarities hardly end there.

"It's definitely fun," Bobrovsky said.

Hair-raising, gut-churning and nail-biting would also apply.