After Sam Reinhart scored late in the second period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Sergei Bobrovsky knew what he had to do.

“I better not let that lead go,” the Florida Panthers’ veteran goaltender said.

So many times throughout the playoffs, Bobrovsky has been the Florida Panthers’ backbone. He’s the final line of defense for one of the best defensive teams in the league.

And on Monday, in the biggest moment of his career, he came up with one final legacy moment.

Bobrovsky saved 23-of-24 shots he faced — including six of seven high-danger shots — as the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Monday to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.

After giving up a game-tying goal on a Mattias Janmark breakaway late in the first period, Bobrovsky stopped the final 21 shots that came his way to preserve the win.

“He’s been our best player all year long, all playoffs long,” forward Sam Bennett said. “When we needed him the most, he stood on his head again. It’s just incredible.”

It was the final moment in a perhaps legacy-defining postseason for Bobrovsky.

His resume before this playoff run was already one that probably warrants a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame — 700 regular-season games played, 396 regular-season wins, 44 shutouts, two Vezina Trophies and nominated for a third this season and two All-Star nods.

Now, after 14 NHL seasons, he has a Stanley Cup to go with it — and a sense of validation after the slow start to his Panthers tenure.

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