Florida's Robert Luongo, the top-rated goalie in the NHL, blanks Boston at home for the second time this season.

01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, February 24, 2004

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Staring each other down at opposite ends of the ice were two of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

The classic matchup of masked men pitted the top rookie netminder against the talented five-year veteran.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, Andrew Raycroft's 30-save performance couldn't match that of the Panthers' Roberto Luongo, who made 38 stops as Florida posted a 2-0 victory last night at the FleetCenter. It was Luongo's fifth shutout of the season and the fourth one of his career against Boston.

"He was the difference tonight without a doubt," said Bruins coach Mike Sullivan. "He made some timely saves for them, big saves at critical times. He certainly was pretty solid in there for them. He's a good

goalie and he can stop the puck. He's one of the top goalies in the league, and for good reason."

Sullivan also was quick to mention the play of Raycroft.

"Razor was solid at our end of the rink," he said. "They got a fortunate bounce on their first goal. Then we were pressing down the stretch and they took advantage of an odd-man situation on their second one. But we certainly had our chances to score."

When the Bruins did have those opportunities, Luongo was there to thwart them.

It was the seventh time this season the Bruins have been held scoreless and the sixth time at home. Never in franchise history has Boston been shut out six times on its own ice, and Luongo has done it to them twice. In fact, the last time the Bruins lost in regulation was against the Panthers at home on Jan. 24.

Luongo has stopped 142 of 145 shots in four games this season against the potent Bruins' offense and last night he once again proved why he's the No. 1-ranked goaltender in the league.

"I just try to do my job," said Luongo. "I just try to focus on what I've got to do technically. I don't try to worry about what's going on at the other end. Some teams, you find yourself more comfortable against."

Raycroft, who is ranked fifth overall in the league and is tops among rookies, is having a solid season and is being mentioned for the Calder Trophy as well as the MVP. Raycroft had another solid outing last night despite the two goals against him.

Florida's first tally, credited to Darcy Hordichuk at 2:49 of the second period, took a strange bounce and Raycroft never saw it go past him.

The Panthers' Andreas Lilja posted the second goal at 9:43 of the third, which was the end result of an odd-man break. Raycroft again had no chance.

After the game, accolades were showered on both netminders.

"He's been good for four years now," said Raycroft of Luongo. "Playing in Florida, I don't think he's gotten the recognition. So it's good to see that he is now. It's unfortunate that we can't score on him."

No matter what kind of pressure or shots the Bruins threw at Luongo, he was able to come up with the save time and again.

"Roberto played great again tonight," said Bruins captain Joe Thornton. "He seems to play great against us any time we face him. Hopefully we'll see him next year and pay him back."

Luongo returned the high praise to Raycroft.

"He's playing great this year," said Luongo. "I'm very impressed with the way he's playing. He's carrying the team. He's got one of the top save percentages in the league, and that's an important stat for a goalie. He's doing a great job."

Goaltending has been, and will be, the key for both teams down the stretch. Luongo will continue to carry the Panthers while Raycroft carries the Bruins. There's going to be goaltending matchups from here on in, but last night was one of the season's better performances at both ends to date.

But the advantage last night belonged to Luongo.

Florida 0 1 1 -- 2

Boston 0 0 0 -- 0

First period: None. Penalties -- McGillis, Bos 5:10; Huselius, Fla 6:42; Biron, Fla 14:04; Jokinen, Fla 16:56.

Second period: 1, Florida, Hordichuk 3 (Biron, Mezei), 2:49. Penalties -- Beaudoin, Fla 5:41; Hordichuk, Fla, major 14:30; Doull, Bos, major 14:30; Gill, Bos 19:47.

Third period: 2, Florida, Lilja 3 (Hagman, Ritchie), 9:43. Penalties -- None.

Shots: Florida 9-15-8 -- 32. Boston 10-14-14 -- 38. Power plays: Florida 0 of 2; Boston 0 of 4. Goalies: Florida, Luongo 19-25-12 (38 shots-38 saves). Boston, Raycroft 21-14-7 (32-30). A: 15,384 (17,565). T -- 2:18.