Flu strikes Panthers, who are already without top 2 goalies
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) The Florida Panthers are missing more than just their starting and backup goalies against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
Jaromir Jagr, Erik Gudbranson and Willie Mitchell all sat out due to a flu-like illness. Mitchell had been scheduled to return on Thursday after missing 15 games because of an upper-body injury.
No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo will miss the next two games due to a shoulder injury sustained Tuesday against Toronto, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said.
''It's tough when you lose a guy like (Luongo),'' Gallant said ''Hopefully just short-term injury here, and hopefully he'll get back on the ice as soon as possible.''
Luongo's backup, Al Montoya, will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a groin injury, also incurred on Tuesday. He will be re-evaluated then.
Dan Ellis started in goal Thursday against Dallas.
