Nick Bjugstad

Panthers' Luongo eyes next step: playoffs

Published Aug. 14, 2015 10:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

Florida Panthers veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo knows the clock is ticking on both his career and the team's future.

So, with August declarations being what they are, the 36-year-old Luongo told the team's website that he has his focus squarely on sending the Panthers into the postseason in 2015-16.

"I think this year, it's time to make that next step and it's really all about the playoffs for our team," Luongo said. "Nothing beneath that will be acceptable and I think as a group we realize that and we demand that of ourselves."

Florida boasts a solid crop of young players making an impact, including reigning Calder Trophy winner Aaron Ekblad, Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. In addition, first-round draft pick Lawson Crouse is expected to perform right away for coach Gerard Gallant's club.

Luongo posted a 28-19-12 mark with two shutouts, a 2.35 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in 61 games last season with the Panthers (38-29-14), who showed improvement before missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

The Montreal native owns a 401-331-72 mark with 33 ties and 68 blankings in 864 career contests with the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks and Panthers.

(h/t Florida Panthers)

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