NHL scores 2016: In spite of broken streak, Roberto Luongo deserves serious Vezina look

Could a soon-to-be 37-year-old win the Vezina this year? If Roberto Luongo has anything to say about it, then yes.

by Mary Clarke

Jan 12, 2016, 2:00 PM UTC

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

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You will probably hear more about a bench-clearing brawl than how the Florida Panthers' win streak actually came to an end. And yes, the streak is finally over at 12 games -- five behind tying the Penguins' record set back in 1993 -- as a result of a 3-2 overtime defeat Monday night.

The winning streak might have come to an end, but the Panthers did set a franchise record by recording a point for the 13th consecutive game as the Canucks took them to overtime after Jake Virtanen tied the game at 2-2 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

Even with the loss, the Panthers remain among the league's top-five teams and are now tied with the Kings in the overall standings after Los Angeles' win over Detroit on Monday. Florida has built a six-point lead in the Atlantic Division, keeping Detroit and Montreal at bay while it continues to climb the standings.

But you probably knew all that already. What you might not know is that goaltender Roberto Luongo could have a legitimate shot at the Vezina Trophy. Whoa, whoa, you say. Braden Holtby of the Capitals already has that spot locked up, you say. Not so fast, I say.

What Luongo is doing right now should be impossible for a goaltender of his age. At 36, Luongo has a .930 save percentage, just under his career high of .931 that he set back in 2003-04 as a 24-year-old. Luongo came close back in the 2010-11 season when he posted a .928 save percentage in 60 games, but as a goaltender who will turn 37 by the heat of the playoff races in April, what Luongo is doing is nothing short of remarkable.

Goaltenders are not supposed to be putting up these kinds of numbers. Most goaltenders noticeably decline in their 30s, and especially past age 35. Do most goaltenders a few months shy of 37 make these kinds of saves look easy? Not many, I bet.

Luongo. Glove. Just silly. https://t.co/pKhuCV6Eef
— The Goalie Guild (@TheGoalieGuild) January 12, 2016

And to think, 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr is manning the helm on offense as the Panthers are on pace for one of their best seasons in franchise history.

Scores

New York Rangers 2, Boston Bruins 1

San Jose Sharks 5, Calgary Flames 4

Vancouver Canucks 3, Florida Panthers 2 (OT)

Los Angeles Kings 4, Detroit Red Wings 2

3 things we learned

1. Derick Brassard continued his points streak to help the Rangers over the Bruins

With two goals and an assist over his last three games, Derick Brassard has helped the Rangers to a pair of victories. Brassard's tally 35 seconds into the third period tied the game for the Rangers on Monday. Jesper Fast brought it home by scoring the game winner with less than two minutes to go in regulation.

2. Flames lose despite scoring twice in just 15 seconds

Two power play goals in 15 seconds was not enough for the Flames to right the ship at home. Calgary has now lost four of its last five in the Saddledome. A 5-on-3 power play in the second period gave the Flames time to chip away at the Sharks' 3-1 lead and it took all of a quarter of a minute for it to crumble.

Sam Bennett scored the second of the pair and celebrated by throwing an invisible monkey off of his back. The goal was just his sixth of the year, breaking an 18-game goalless drought.

@SBennett93 just casually taking the monkey off his back! Attaboy! #Flames #SJSvsCGY pic.twitter.com/OO1BxVazP0
— All Things Flames (@allthingsflames) January 12, 2016

3. Kings strike three times in a row to best Red Wings

Florida wasn't the only team to have a winning streak snapped Monday. Coming into Los Angeles, Detroit had a four-game streak. However, three straight tallies from the Kings kept the Red Wings at bay after Los Angeles opened the scoring two minutes in on Tyler Toffoli's 20th of the season.