Luongo gets playoff start for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks turned to veteran Roberto Luongo to start in goal on Wednesday night in the opener of their Stanley Cup playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.
Canucks goalie Cory Schneider remains sidelined with with an undisclosed injury. Joe Cannata, who was recalled from the American Hockey League, will be Luongo's backup.
"I wasn't sure what was happening the whole week," Luongo said Wednesday morning. "For me, it's an opportunity and I'm excited for it. I'm just excited to be playing some playoff hockey again."
Luongo, 34, posted a 9-6-3 record with a .907 save percentage during the regular season but was pelted between the pipes on Saturday night in a 7-2 loss to Edmonton, giving up five third-period goals in less than four minutes.
Schneider has said this week that he believes he's ready to play. In 30 games during the regular season, he was 17-9-4 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .927 saves percentage.
