Luongo, first line help Panthers to 4-1 win
OTTAWA -- The Florida Panthers received outstanding goaltending from Roberto Luongo and a boost from their previously slumping first line to defeat the Ottawa Senators 4-1 on Saturday night at Canadian Tire Centre.
With both teams looking to rebound from their worst loss of the season, the Panthers improved to 9-8-1 and the Senators are 10-7-1.
Wingers Jaromir Jagr, Jussi Jokinen, Jonathan Marchessault and center Derek MacKenzie scored for the Panthers. Top-line center Aleksander Barkov chipped in with two assists.
Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau had the only goal against Luongo, who made 39 saves.
Craig Anderson made 19 stops for the Senators.
Pageau broke the shutout at 4:45 of the third period, taking a shot from below the goal line that went in off Luongo's back.
MacKenzie restored the three-goal lead at 9:16, capitalizing on a giveaway by Senators winger Curtis Lazar by putting a shot over Anderson's shoulder.
The Senators led 27-16 in shots after two periods but were unable to solve Luongo.
Jagr opened the scoring 25 seconds into the first period, taking a pass from center Aleksander Barkov off a two-on-one rush and sending a backhand that appeared to deflect off the stick of Senators center Derick Brassard before going through the legs of Anderson.
The goal was Jagr's second of the season and ended a 13-game regular-season drought that had matched the longest of his storied 23-season career.
It was also the 13th time the Senators had allowed the first goal of the game.
Jokinen made it 2-0 on assists from Barkov and Jagr at the 12-minute mark of the first period with a wrist shot from the slot that was behind Anderson before he moved.
At that point, the Senators had a 10-3 lead in shots.
Marchessault scored the only goal of the second period in a case of being at the right spot at the right time. He was positioned just to Anderson's right when a shot from the point hit the crowd in front and ricocheted right to him. Marchessault banged it in for his ninth goal of the season.
NOTES: Senators G Andrew Hammond was placed on waivers Saturday morning. ... RW Curtis Lazar was recalled from Binghamton earlier in the day and played his first game of the season for Ottawa. The former first-rounder has suited up for 133 games the previous two seasons. ... Senators RW Bobby Ryan missed his first game of the season with a deep bone bruise on a finger. Ryan is expected to be lost for at least a week. ... Senators LW Mike Hoffman missed his second game with a groin injury. He skated well at the morning warm-up and should be back before long. ... Panthers D Dylan McIlrath was scratched after making his debut with the team and playing 17:18 against the Maple Leafs. It's believed McIlrath is suffering from the flu. ... Panthers C Greg McKegg was scratched for the first time this season and C Kyle Rau for the third time this season.