Luongo Returns to Net as Panthers Top Jets

The Florida Panthers welcomed Roberto Luongo back to the net in their 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.

Luongo had sat out Florida's last two games in favor of Al Montoya. While Montoya did a great job with his opportunities, it was widely expected that Luongo would be back in the net for this one. Luongo has been pivotal to Florida's success, and will likely start most of the remaining games for the team.

The win was the third in four tries for Florida and the team now has an exceptional 75 points on the year. The Panthers remain atop the Atlantic Division, and still have an outside chance of capturing the Eastern Conference.

Luongo did a great job stopping 30 of the 31 shots fired at him. The goalie made several dazzling stops, and held off multiple rally attempts by Winnipeg.

Trailing by one at the 4:53 mark of the second period, it was Jaromir Jagr who got Florida on the board first. With an assist from both Dmitry Kulikov and Jussi Jokinen, Jagr's 19th goal of the season tied the game up.

Early into the second period, the Panthers would take the lead for the first time on the day. The score was courtesy of Reilly Smith's 19th goal of the season. The goal which came during a power play had an assist on it from Kulikov.

Rounding out the scoring for the Panthers was the same man who started it. Jagr's 20th goal of the season had another assist on it from Jokinen. Jagr's goals moved him ahead of Brett Hull for third on the all-time goals scored list in the NHL.