Panthers’ Luongo out at least a week with lower-body injury

Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo makes a save late in the first that may have caused him to leave the game as James Reimer came out to start the second and was sharp early.

The Florida Panthers will be without their starting goaltender at a crucial time as they are right in the mix of a tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

Roberto Luongo left Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers after making 13 first period saves. The Panthers are calling it a lower-body injury.

Luongo underwent off-season hip surgery but had recovered in time to kick off the 2016-17 campaign. The 37-year-old owns a 17-15-6 record to go along with a 2.68 goal-against average and .915 save percentage. He sits just one win shy of tying Curtis Joseph for fourth on the NHL’s all-time list.

With Bobby Lou sidelined, James Reimer will take the reigns of the Florida goal. The Panthers have picked up just one win in their previous five games. Prior to that, they had swept a tough five-game road trip out West.

The Panthers sit just a point behind the New York Islanders for the final wild-card spot ahead of Saturday night’s clash with the Dallas Stars.

Goaltender Reto Berra has been recalled from AHL Springfield on an emergency basis.

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