Rowe: Luongo is the most unlucky goalie I've ever been around

With a comment that lends itself well to his netminder's down-on-his luck, self-deprecating online persona, Florida Panthers coach Tom Rowe assessed the recent struggles of Roberto Luongo on a conference call Thursday.

"Lu has been the most unlucky goalie I think I've ever been around. I mean, a lot of these goals are going off our shin pads, off of our sticks. We're not doing a good job at all of tying sticks up in front of our net."

Luongo let in at least three goals for seventh time in eight appearances in the Panthers' 6-5 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. But he wasn't beaten clean once in the contest, seeing countless attempts change direction off bodies and sticks immediately in front of him.

"That's something that's going to be addressed in short order," Rowe said.

"If you're going to be in front, if you're going to be standing in front of our goaltender, you better block the shot," he added. "We're not doing a good job of that at all."

Heaping onto his misfortune, Luongo exited with cramps after allowing the game-tying goal. James Reimer entered the contest and was the netminder of record, making two saves before Jonathan Huberdeau's winner.

Rowe confirmed that Luongo's fine, and will be available Friday in Anaheim.