Panthers need improved goaltending to make playoffs

Is poor goaltending preventing the Florida Panthers from taking off?

Roberto Luongo allowed five goals before exiting with cramps in Wednesday's thriller versus the San Jose Sharks, marking the eighth time in 11 appearances since the new year that he's conceded at least three.

He has executed at an .902 save rate in those games, earning four wins and a shutout while seeing 357 total shots.

Meanwhile, James Reimer, who was credited with the victory for two minutes of work in relief of Luongo in San Jose, now has more wins than his partner since the calendar's turn. He's performing at a .915 rate across eight appearances, which is right in line with his season average.

Reimer's numbers aren't spectacular by any means, but he's allowed just one goal in three of his seven starts, spearheading a win in each, while Luongo has allowed one or fewer twice in 11 appearances.

What's either most concerning or encouraging, depending on how you look at it, is the fact Tom Rowe's system has been relatively seal-tight over this span. Florida's allowed quite a few shots, but is one of four teams to concede fewer than 100 scoring chances since Jan. 4, according to Corsica.

That means Panthers netminders have not only performed below the league standard, but they've done so under less stress.

Despite this, and while also waiting idle during the bye week that fell over this time period, Florida's managed to slightly improve its standing in the Eastern Conference. The club's still slotted fifth in the wild-card chase, but now sits just three points back of eighth with a game in hand.

The Panthers have scored 18 goals in four games since finally returning to full strength offensively with the return of star winger Jonathan Huberdeau. They seem to be adapting to the coach's system and appear menacing in a susceptible Atlantic Division.

It's up to the netminders to do their part to push this team over the finish line.