Night and day difference between Sergei Bobrovsky's October and November
At the start of the Columbus Blue Jackets' dreadful season, many of the blame could be placed on Columbus' franchise goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky.
Bobrovsky was dreadful in October, finishing with just a 2-8 record, and allowed 35 goals in just 11 games.
But in November, Bobrovsky completely turned his season around, and has given his Blue Jackets trust in their $29.7 million investment.
If we break down Bobrovsky's save percentage in three different groups, we can see that Bobrovsky greatly improved his overall game in virtually every possible way. We can break down Bobrovsky's save percentage by looking at his save percentage in low, medium and high-danger shooting areas (don't know where danger shooting areas are? War on Ice has a great explanation on how they quantify danger shooting areas). We can also tell that Bobrovsky is seeing a similar number of shots on goal, including a similar number of high-danger shots in both October and November. But he performed significantly better in November.
We can also take a look at Bobrovsky's adjusted save percentage. Adjusted save percentage takes into account where the shots Bobrovsky is facing are coming from on the ice. And we can also tell that Bobrovsky is facing a similar number of shots per 60 minutes of his play. Take a look at the table.
Bobrovsky in October vs. November, even strength 5-v-5
| Category | October | November |
| Save Percentage | .871 | .945 |
| Adjusted Save Percentage | .872 | .942 |
| Shots Faced Per 60 mins. | 28.67 | 29.88 |
| High-Danger Save Percentage | .796 | .849 |
| Medium-Danger Save Percentage | .843 | .958 |
| Low-Danger Save Percentage | .940 | .992 |
| High-Danger Shots Faced | 49 | 66 |
And, if we look at the exact same metrics for Bobrovsky's penalty killing, we can see the exact same trend.
Bobrovsky in October Vs. November, Shorthanded
| Category | October | November |
| Save Percentage | .810 | .926 |
| Adjusted Save Percentage | .778 | .942 |
| Shots Faced Per 60 mins. | 56.25 | 43.55 |
| High-Danger Save Percentage | .500 | .938 |
| Medium-Danger Save Percentage | .938 | .850 |
| Low-Danger Save Percentage | .875 | 1.00 |
| High-Danger Shots Faced | 10 | 16 |
The difference between Bobrovsky's overall play in October in comparison to his overall play in November is astounding. But what should be encouraging to the Blue Jackets community is that Bobrovsky is putting up these great numbers while facing more shot totals from similar areas from the ice in November than he did in October. It is also a good sign that Bobrovsky faced a significantly less amount of shots on the penalty kill in November. However, he is saw more high-danger shots in November on the power play.
More than likely, Bobrovsky's October was a dreadful fluke. He's a young goaltender that has proven in the past that he can handle being a franchise-caliber starter.
If the Blue Jackets are able to climb out of the deep hole they dug themselves in, Bobrovsky needs to lead them out of it. And after his production this last month, in which he won eight of his 11 games, he's on the right track to do just that.
Statistics provided by War On Ice.
