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Luongo (upper body) unable to play on Tuesday

Calgary Flames v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 4: Goaltender Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers looks up at the scoreboard during a break in action against the Calgary Flames at the BB&T Center on April 4, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. The Flames defeated the Panthers 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Luongo

Joel Auerbach

It’s unclear if the Florida Panthers have been an occasional upset threat by design or by acquiring Roberto Luongo, but the bottom line is that they’ve been more of a threat than their sad record might indicate (just ask the desperate Dallas Stars). One could argue that the Philadelphia Flyers may breathe a little easier on Tuesday, then, as the Miami Herald’s George Richards reports that Luongo is missing the game because of a lower-body injury.

In 12 games with the Panthers, the 35-year-old goalie might not have the greatest record (5-6-1), yet his individual stats are nice, as he has a .923 save percentage and 2.45 GAA.

Florida is trotting out solid journeyman goalie Dan Ellis tonight, so it’s not like it should be a total cakewalk for Philly.

Any form of win would clinch a playoff berth for the Flyers.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins