By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published February 1, 2004
An MVP season
Whatever the Panthers accomplish this season, they can thank Roberto Luongo. The goalie was so good in stopping 111 of 119 shots last month in a victory, loss and tie with the Flyers, Philly coach Ken Hitchcock called him the league MVP.
"Luongo is a guy who can steal games and get points maybe when they don't deserve them," Hitchcock said. "He's approaching where, at times, he's intimidating. He's big and mobile and seems to anticipate the play before it even happens."
"It's very flattering," Luongo said. "I just try to do my best."
Including Dec. 31, when he stopped 40 of 42 shots in a 2-2 tie with the Lightning, Luongo has stopped at least 40 shots six times. Four of his top-10 all-time save performances came in January, including a 50-save victory over Tampa Bay on Jan. 17.
"I'm the type of guy that likes to see a lot of shots," he said. "I'm in a comfort zone when I'm pretty busy. I just try to stop the puck."
Entering Saturday's game against the Islanders, Luongo had 15 victories, a 2.43 goals-against average, three shutouts and .931 save percentage, tied for fourth in the league.
"He's probably the best first-shot goaltender in the league right now," Hitchcock said.
Five questions with Canadiens defenseman Sheldon Souray:
Q: What do you expect from your first All-Star Game?
A: I'm going to really enjoy it and have a couple of friends there. It's kind of a dream come true.
Q: Will you be starstruck?
A: I never thought I would be in a position to meet any of these guys, nevermind playing with them. So just to have a chance to maybe say hi to Mark Messier, just to tell him how much I admired him growing up, it's just going to be a lot of fun.
Q: Have you kept any memorabilia from when you were a kid in Edmonton?
A: Yeah, it was kind of a phase I went through. I have Eric Lindros' future card and maybe a Joe Sakic rookie card and a Wayne Gretzky second-year card.
Q: How big a fan were you?
A: I was a huge fan. I pretended I was Gretzky and those guys all the time.
Q: What sport would you have played if not hockey?
A: When I wasn't playing hockey, I was playing baseball. One of my best buddies is Mike Piazza.
Svitov unimpressive
Former Lightning center Alexander Svitov, sent to the Blue Jackets in the deal for defenseman Darryl Sydor, did not make a good first impression.
The Columbus Dispatch said Svitov reported out of shape. He was tried on the top line Thursday with Rick Nash and David Vyborny but quickly pulled. Svitov played 16:52 against the Predators, was minus-1 and had zero shots on goal. He did win 8 of 14 faceoffs.
Coach Doug MacLean was not deterred.
"Alexander was a guy we had high on our list in the (2001) draft," he said. "He's a 6-foot-3, 217-pound centerman who was an unbelievable junior. He hasn't taken off as a pro yet, but ..."
Around the league
Asked about the five European teams owned by Kings owner Phil Anschutz, Los Angeles president Tim Leiweke wondered how many NHL players really will end up in Europe if there is a work stoppage. "We're given a very limited number of slots for imported players," he said. "To sign guys from the NHL, not knowing if they will be there a week, a month or six months, we can't give up our slots." ... The Detroit News reported, contrary to speculation, Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek (groin) will not be back in the lineup in 7 to 10 days. He will return to the ice to start skating. ... The Coyotes paid tribute to Brian Boucher and his five consecutive shutouts by giving the goalie a night during which he was given a Rolex watch and a trip to the Bahamas. Imagine what he will get if he wins a Stanley Cup. ... Predators forward Rem Murray has been sidelined by dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. In Murray's case, he is compelled to turn his head to the left. There is no cure, but medication can control it. ... And finally, the results of the singing audition Nashville defenseman Jamie Allison had with RCA: The Tennessean reported it promised to set him up with a vocal coach.
Quotable
"I believe, fundamentally, we are the worst team in the National Hockey League." - Rangers center Bobby Holik on his team's play.
- Compiled by staff writer Damian Cristodero from personal interviews and information from other news organizations.
