Tortorella shoots down praise for Bobrovsky after Jackets' loss
Sergei Bobrovsky ranks second in the NHL with 32 wins. He's fourth in goals-against average (2.18) and fifth in save percentage (.926). Just don't tell his coach.
Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss John Tortorella wasn't too thrilled with the praise being lavished on his netminder after Tuesday night's 1-0 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. And he wasn't shy about making that clear.
"Yeah, he played good. It's his job," Tortorella said postgame, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu. "At this time of year, that's his job. I don't think we should keep saying it's spectacular."
It was a tough line to take regarding a goaltender who's been tremendous for one of the league's best teams this season. The Jackets currently rank second in the Metropolitan Division and third in the league with 84 points thus far.
But Tortorella said his players are simply doing what's expected of them.
"This is what goalies do for teams that are going to try to get there at the end of the year," Tortorella said. "So this is his responsibility. I thought both (he and Carey Price) made some key saves for their team."
Bobrovsky turned aside 29 of 30 shots in the overtime loss, while Price kept out an even 26 of 26.
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