The Florida Panthers are one of the best stories in hockey, and Roberto Luongo is one of the protagonists.
The 36-year-old's 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday was of the milestone variety:
Roberto Luongo (@FLAPanthers) earned his 423rd career win to tie Tony Esposito for 7th on the NHL's all-time list. pic.twitter.com/P7PxbGZLKv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 27, 2016
Luongo, perhaps drinking from the same fountain of youth as Jaromir Jagr, is having a phenomenal season. He went into Tuesday's game with a 21-13-4 record and a .930 save percentage. And January's been his best month. He has a .944 save percentage in nine games, six of them wins, and two shutouts.
The record-setting victory will likely come next week, as the Panthers are now off for the All-Star break. Luongo won't get much rest, though - he's off to Nashville to play in the 3-on-3 tournament, and rightfully so.
After he takes seventh place on the all-time wins list, next up is another legendary French goalie in Jacques Plante, who won 437 games in his career. Terry Sawchuk is fifth on the list with 447 wins, and Curtis Joseph is fourth at 454.
When it's all said and done, Luongo will have his place among the all-time greats.
