Roberto Luongo Fires up Crowd as Panthers Face Final Stanley Cup Showdown

Former NHL goaltender Roberto Luongo may not be lacing up his skates for the final Stanley Cup showdown, but his presence was felt as he energized the crowd at the Amerant Bank Arena with a pre-game ritual, sparking chants of ‘Let’s Go Panthers!’. Luongo has been a key figure as the assistant to the general manager of the Florida Panthers for five seasons.

The 45-year-old Montreal native spent 11 of his 19 NHL seasons with the Panthers, holding the team records for games played (572), wins (230), and shutouts (38), with the other eight seasons spent with the Vancouver Canucks. Luongo’s legacy with the Panthers is unmatched, showcasing his deep ties to the franchise.

Although Luongo won’t be guarding the net, his history in crucial games raises questions about his impact on the team’s luck. In his career, he holds a 0-2 record in Stanley Cup Final games where his team had the opportunity to clinch the championship. His most memorable moment was in the 2011 Final against the Boston Bruins, where the Canucks stumbled in the last two games, missing out on a potential Cup win.