It's another Luongo night

It's a good thing the Bruins don't have to face Florida again this season. Boston has faced Roberto Luongo four times in 2003-04, and scored a grand total of three goals. Last night, the acrobatic netminder stoned the Bruins, leading the Panters to a 2-0 whitewash at the FleetCenter.

"It was a great job by our team all around," said the 24-year-old Montreal native, who had 38 saves. "I noticed they were shooting high. High shots make it easier to control the rebounds, and I got everything I could. I don't know if there is anything special about playing against the Bruins. Sometimes you find yourself more confident playing a certian team."

The Bruins' four games against Luongo this season resulted in two 1-1 ties on the road, followed by 2-1 and 2-0 losses at home. Prior to last night, Boston had earned at least a point in 12 straight games and hadn't lost in regulation since Jan. 24, the last time they faced Luongo.

Luongo was at his best 12 minutes into the second period when he stopped an in-close bid by Patrice Bergeron that would have tied the game at 1-1.

"I got a piece of it," said Luongo, who won his first game in the NHL at the FleetCenter, Nov. 28, 1999, when he was with the New York Islanders. "I threw my arm out, and maybe I got it with my blocker."

John Torchetti, 38, who took over as Panthers coach Feb. 9, is from Boston. He played at Jamaica Plain High School, and New Prep in Cambridge. Family members were at the game, and he enjoyed the homecoming. One wouldn't guess it by watching his team play the Bruins, but the Panthers are out of a playoff spot.

"The Bruins are a solid team," Torchetti said. "They're big and strong. They take the puck to the net, and battle hard. Our major objective was to make sure they only got one rebound, not two or three. We've made huge progress in not turning the puck over in key areas. We just go step by step, and move along.

"[Luongo] just does a great job against the league. I get to watch him every night. It was big to get a win against the Bruins. When you've got a goalie who's playing this well, you can cheat on the offensive end. Maybe [he] played a special game because he knew I had family here. It was special for me to win my first game here. The Bruins were always my favorite club. They are going to be a tough team for anyone to play in the playoffs."

The victory wasn't as sentimental to Luongo, who has five shutouts this season. But it did have meaning for the 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound man who is as quick as a cat.

"I'll always remember my first game in Boston," he said. "And tonight was special for the coach. Maybe he owes me something. No, not really."

The Bruins didn't lose because of their goaltending. Andrew Raycroft had little chance on either Panther goal, a tip-in in the second period, and a shot from point-blank range in the third. Luongo had some words of praise for his counterpart.

"Raycroft is playing great," he said. "This year, with the way he's going, he's carrying the team. It's important to play well, but it's not really a duel between the goalies. The other guy is trying to do his job, too. I just focus on my job, and I don't worry about what's going on at the other end."