Panthers Take Down Canadiens

     Roberto Luongo had his number 1 jersey retired before the game as the Florida Panthers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at BB&T Center on Saturday night. He is the first player to receive that honor. Luongo joined former team president Bill Torrey(number 93) and original team owner H. Wayne Huizenga(number 37) as the only uniform numbers to be retired by the club.
     The Panthers snapped an eight-game winless streak at home. The last time they won in South Florida was January 16 against the Los Angeles Kings. They finished the five-game home stand with a 1-2-2 record.
     After a scoreless first period, Florida(34-26-8) got up 1-0 with 9:38 left in the second period. Aaron Ekblad forwarded the puck and Noel Acciari made a touch pass at the Canadiens blue line. Lucas Ullmark picked it up in the left circle, faked a forehand shot and lifted a backhand shot at the top of the crease past Charlie Lindgren for his first goal with Florida.
     The Panthers scored early in the third 41 seconds into the frame. Frank Vatrano won the faceoff in the right circle and knocked it back to Ekblad on the right point. He sent a cross-ice pass and MacKenzie Weegar smashed a one-time slap shot from the left point for his second tally in the last two games.
     The Cats extended it to 3-0 at the 4:13 mark. Mike Hoffman poked the puck from the right corner to Erik Haula on the goal line. He connected a pass to the middle and Jonathan Huberdeau scored on a wrist shot from the left of the crease.
     Montreal(31-30-9) finally got on the scoreboard at 8:04. Jake Evans carried the puck from the left wing, across the high slot and snapped a shot by Chris Driedger.
     Florida made it a three-goal margin with 1:54 to go. Hoffman shot the puck from just before the red line into an empty net for his 28th goal of the season.