Entering play on Friday it had been nearly two years since a Florida Panthers goalie recorded a shutout.
Roberto Luongo records shutout in return to Panthers
Roberto Luongo ended Florida’s shutout drought in his first start back with the team.
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Roberto Luongo broke that streak in his first game back with the team as he stopped all 25 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres to record his 66th career shutout, 28 of which have come as a member of the Panthers.
Luongo spent five seasons in Florida earlier in his career before being traded to Vancouver after the 2005-06 season. He was reacquired by Florida on Tuesday in a blockbuster trade that cost the Panthers Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.
Given the way his former team has been playing over the past couple of months, going to Florida was probably a welcome change for Luongo (he was, after all, getting a pretty good laugh on Thursday night at the Canucks’ expense), and he seemed right at home on Friday.
The Sabres didn't present much of a challenge. Florida pretty much dominated the game, but Luongo did have to make a couple of big saves, including this point-blank pad save on Tyler Ennis in the second period. It was probably his best of the night.
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