Reimer Ready to Go After Panthers Lose Luongo for 2-4 Weeks

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -The Florida Panthers will be without starting goaltender Roberto Luongo for the next two to four weeks after the 39-year-old suffered a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during a 2-1 shootout loss to the Lightning in Saturday's season opener in Tampa.

"He looks bummed out today, naturally," coach Bob Boughner said of Luongo after Monday's practice at the Panthers IceDen. "I would be, too. I think he's worked hard and had a great summer. He looked good the other night… It's unfortunate. Now he's got to get some rehab and get back to practicing again, get his composure and his game back. He's dealt with this before."
Unlike the groin injury that sidelined the future Hall of Famer for more than two months last season, Luongo's latest injury felt much more like an unfortunate fluke. In the midst of a shutout performance with 7:39 left go in the second period, teammate Frank Vatrano simply got tangled up in the crease and fell down onto Luongo's outstretched leg - an awkward incident that luckily didn't cause more damage.
"It could have been worse," Boughner said. "It was a freak accident. It wasn't like he stretched out and pulled it, or twisted it that way. Someone fell on him. That happens during the game. It was just an awkward way that the body fell on him."
For Luongo, these setbacks are unfortunately nothing new. Whether it was the hip injury that caused him to miss the final six weeks of the 2016-17 season, or the aforementioned groin issue that kept him out of the lineup for a long stretch last season, he's suited up in just 75 games over the last two seasons.
But, when healthy, there's no denying that Luongo is still one of the league's top netminders.
Entering his 19th NHL season, Luongo posted an 18-11-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.47 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage when he was healthy last season. In recognition for his unmatched dedication, he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
"You never want to see your starting goalie go down, especially one like Lu," center Vincent Trocheck said. "It was tough to lose him there in the second, but we do have a great backup in Reims [James Reimer]. He stepped in and played really well, we thought."
In Luongo's absence, Reimer will have to step up once again. Last season, he started 18 of 19 games -- including the first 17 in a row -- after Luongo's groin injury. During that stretch, the 30-year-old went 9-6-2 with a a 2.59 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and two shutouts.
A backup for the majority of his career, Reimer went 22-14-6 with a .913 save percentage in 2017-18.
"He's been here before, which is good," Boughner said of Reimer. "He's been in this position. I liked his game the other night. He came in cold in the middle of a pretty intense game and made some nice saves for us… it's good depth here. No one wants to be without their No. 1 guy, but we're back here again. We've got to deal with it just like we did last year."
In relief of Luongo on Saturday, Reimer, who had not seen any competitive action since a preseason start on Sept. 25, looked sharp, stopping 15 of 16 shots -- including a point-blank chance from Alex Killorn in the final minute of regulation -- to make sure Florida got to overtime and secured a point.
Now back in the starter's seat, Reimer knows what he has to do and is focused on the task at hand.
"Just win Game 2," Reimer said when asked about the road ahead. "Obviously it sucks to see Lu go down. Hopefully it's not too long. In his absence, it's just win some hockey games. That's what you train all summer to do, and just have some fun doing it.
"It's something I've done throughout my career. A couple seasons here, a couple seasons there, and parts of seasons. You love to play the game and you love to start and whatnot. It's just fun. It's a good opportunity and I'm looking forward to it."
With Luongo heading to IR, the Panthers recalled third-string goaltender Michael Hutchinson from AHL Springfield on Monday morning to serve as Reimer's backup going forward. Inked to a one-year, one-way deal this summer, the 28-year-old spent the majority of last season with Winnipeg's AHL affiliate in Manitoba, where he ranked second in the league in save percentage (.935).
In 102 career NHL games, Hutchinson owns a 2.65 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
"I definitely have the confidence that I can still play at this level," said Hutchinson, who stopped 44 of 46 shots in his debut with the Thunderbirds on Saturday. "I think I've proved that over the last few seasons. I got a good game in down in Springfield, so I'm feeling pretty good right now."

PANTHERS INJURY UPDATES

• C Derek MacKenzie (upper-body) is doubtful for Thursday.
  - D Bogdan Kiselevich (broken jaw) is doubtful for Thursday.