Bobrovsky becomes fastest goalie to reach 400 wins

Sergei Bobrovsky made history Thursday, becoming the fastest goaltender to reach 400 career wins with the Florida Panthers' 3-1 victory against the New York Rangers.

Bobrovsky accomplished the feat in his 707th contest, surpassing Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist, who needed 727 games to reach the milestone.

New Jersey Devils icon Martin Brodeur held the record for almost 13 years before Lundqvist.

"It's special," Bobrovsky said, according to team reporter Jameson Olive. "If you look at the list, those guys are legends. It's definitely a privilege to be on the same with them."

Bobrovsky is the first Russian goaltender to reach the mark. He passed Evgeni Nabokov as the nation's all-time winningest goaltender in 2023.

Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk had praise for Bobrovsky.

"He's the backbone of our team," Tkachuk said, according to Olive. "What he's done, not many people have. ... What an incredible goalie."

Bobrovsky is the 14th goalie to record 400 wins and the first to hit the mark since Marc-Andre Fleury in 2018. Fleury required 728 games, one more than Lundqvist needed.

Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick is six victories away from joining the 400-win club. He's already played 781 games, so Bobrovsky's new record isn't in danger.

The victory is Bobrovsky's 145th with Florida. He accrued 213 wins with the Columbus Blue Jackets and 42 with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers signed Bobrovsky as an undrafted free agent in May 2010. He's a two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy, claiming the award in 2013 and 2017 during his time with the Blue Jackets.

Bobrovsky inked a seven-year, $70-million contract with the Panthers in 2019 as an unrestricted free agent.