Panthers build on defense
SUNRISE — As the Panthers embarked on a season-long six-game road trip Monday, they took with them an airplane-full of confidence that naturally accompanies their franchise-best nine-game winning streak.
They also took along the knowledge that they are allowing the fewest goals in the first period while averaging a franchise- and NHL-best 2.15 goals-against per game, two major ingredients for success.
“Wow,” said surprised Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo after an optional skate at the BB&T Center that included just five players. “[Backup goalie Al Montoya] included, the boys are playing real well defensively. It’s a good system. We’re not giving up many odd-man rushes and that’s a huge part of the game.
“If we can eliminate those, we have a good chance every night. It’s not rocket science.”
At 36, Luongo’s careerlow 2.09 goals-against-average is third among goalies with at least 30 games and his .929 save percentage is second. Luongo is shooting for his career-tying eighth consecutive victory Tuesday in Buffalo, where he has posted three consecutive shutouts.
Montoya is 6-1-1 with a 1.69 GAA, and has allowed just one goal in each of his last five appearances. His .938 save percentage is first among goalies with nine games, so the tandem goaltenders are front-runners for the prestigious Willam M. Jennings Trophy.
In the past three seasons the Panthers were ranked 17th, 29th, 30th in goals allowed. The last time they were ranked in the top six was in 1996 and ’97, their only back-to-back playoff appearances in franchise history.
“Look at all the teams that won Stanley Cups, the L.A.’s, the Bostons and Chicago have a great offense, but people forget how good their defense is,” said Panthers defenseman Willie Mitchell, who played his 900th NHL game Sunday. “We’re doing a good job keeping our goals-against down.”
Jagr All-Star nod
Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr, one of four players voted by fans to be a captain at the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 31 in Nashville last week, leads the team with 13 goals and 28 points.
However, Jagr, who turns 44 next month, urged the fans not to select him because of the new, wideopen 3-on-3 format and his preference to rest during the break.
“I asked the fans don’t vote for me; they didn’t listen,” Jagr kidded. “I think they don’t like me much. They want to see me dead. I probably have to go. I don’t know what the rules are. Probably the fans think I need to get into shape and I don’t deserve the rest. Everybody else has a vacation; I got to play 3-on-3.”
Bjugstad returns
Although the Panthers got destroyed on the faceoff circle, they didn’t skip a beat win-wise with the return of center Nick Bjugstad, who had missed the previous 15 games with migraines.
Bjugstad, the team’s leading goal-scorer last season, played on the third line with Brandon Pirri and Logan Shaw. He had no shots on goal in 11:08 ice time and was 3-6 on faceoffs.
“I’d have a tough time living with that,” Bjugstad said if the team had lost upon his return.
Brickley to AHL
The return of Bjugstad and solid play from rookie forward Corban Knight led to the Panthers sending rookie wing Connor Brickley back to Portland, Maine, in the AHL on Monday.
“He’s a second-year pro who we’re not giving enough ice time to,” Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. “We don’t want a guy sitting on the bench or in the stands, playing 5-6 minutes.” …
Defenseman Steven Kampfer, who has missed the past 10 games with a knee injury, is ready to return, but Gallant said he won’t play until one of his top six defensemen gets hurt.
Panthers at Sabres
When/where: 7 p.m.; First Niagara Center, Buffalo
TV: FSF Radio: 560-AM, 640-AM (Palm Beaches)
Notable: The Panthers look to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 10, which would be the longest in the NHL this season. ... They’ve allowed one goal or less in seven of their nine wins on the streak, including Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, and they lead the NHL in fewest goals allowed per game (2.15). Jagr scored both goals Sunday and has a team-leading 13 goals and 28 points. ... Jagr also scored twice to help beat the visiting Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Oct. 15. Nearly a month later the Sabres won by the same score to snap G Roberto Luongo’s seven-game winning streak against them. ... The Sabres have lost four in a row.