Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Boughner on Luongo injury: ‘We’re crossing our fingers’
Florida Panthers coach Bob Boughner, during a radio appearance Wednesday morning, said goaltender Roberto Luongo’s right hand injury would be reassessed.
“We’re going to find out more,” Boughner said on the Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM. “Hopefully, it’s not too long term and we get him back.”
Luongo injured his right hand Friday against Pittsburgh when it got caught between Penguins forward Conor Sheary and the goal post. Luongo left the game and was placed on injured reserve Saturday. He must sit out at least a week before he is eligible to return to play.
In Luongo’s absence, James Reimer was elevated to the No. 1 spot. Harri Sateri was called up from AHL affiliate Springfield to serve as the backup, then returned there Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers also claimed Antti Niemi off waivers Tuesday to add to their goaltending depth.
Luongo, 38, missed the final five weeks of last season with a hip injury. In four games this season, Luongo had a 3.94 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.
“Louie is still a premier goalie in this league,” Boughner said. “It’s tough to survive in the league without a starting goalie, without a big-name goalie and Louie’s a big part of it. We’re crossing our fingers he’s going to be fine.” three minutes of each other, including all five in Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss in Montreal.
Florida allowed three goals in the second period, including two on the power play. The Panthers were whistled for four penalties in 10:13 during the period.
“We take four penalties in a row, they get one and we sort of just self-destruct and we find a way to beat ourselves again,” Boughner said.
Here are all of those instances (The Panthers only won one of these games.):
Tuesday at Montreal — two goals in 1:55 in the third period
Tuesday at Montreal — two goals in 1:35 in the second period
Friday against Pittsburgh — two goals in 0:27 in the second period
Oct. 17 at Philadelphia — two goals in 2:54 in the second period
Oct. 7 against Tampa Bay — two goals in 1:18 in the first period
“We have to have better mental toughness,” Boughner said. “We talk about composure. We can’t let one bad period or bad penalty or bad shift lead into two and three. Right now, it is.”