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Luongo continues to foil Schneider as Panthers damage Devils’ playoff hopes

Panthers Luongo Hockey

Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo smiles during a news conference Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Sunrise, Fla. After nearly eight years apart, Luongo was the centerpiece of a four-player trade between Florida and the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. The Panthers sent goalie Jacob Markstrom--once considered their future in net--and forward Shawn Matthias to the Canucks for Luongo and forward Steven Anthony. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Al Diaz) MAGS OUT

AP

After all the drama, Cory Schneider, Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks may all find themselves watching other teams participate in the 2014 playoffs despite parting ways.

The Eddie Lack-led Canucks fell to the Washington Capitals on Friday, greatly injuring Vancouver’s fading playoff hopes out West. Luongo’s reunion with the Panthers was meant for the 2014-15 season and beyond, but Florida’s 5-3 win against Schneider’s New Jersey Devils greatly damages his former netminding partner’s chances of reaching the postseason as well.

The thing that might sting the most for Schneider, 27, is that tonight’s loss doesn’t really adhere to a near-season-long narrative of New Jersey failing to give him decent goal support. The Devils generated a 3-1 lead but the Panthers stormed back with four unanswered goals to win. They only fired 22 shots on Schneider, so it was a pretty miserable night for him.

Schneider called a game against Luongo “old news,” before the game, but that really might not be the case until his team begins to prevail. As the Miami Herald’s George Richards notes, Luongo is now 3-0 against Schneider this season. This one probably hurts the most, though.

At least they seemed cordial enough before the game.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins