Roberto Luongo's Playoff Woes: Where It All Began

Over the past few seasons, it has become evident that Roberto Luongo has issues when it comes to his ability in the playoffs.  

He began his career as a New York Islander, but was traded to the Florida Panthers just one season later.  As a Panther, Luongo proved himself as an elite goaltender, with an average save percentage of .920 over 5 seasons of play.  

Unfortunately, his ability in the postseason remained unknown, as the opportunity never arose with Florida.  Nonetheless, his regular season performance was motivation enough for Vancouver to offer up Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alex Auld for the coveted goaltender. 

Since arriving in Vancouver, his playoff history has been a disaster to say the least.  

In the 08-09 season, the Canucks handily beat the St. Louis Blues in the first round, with a four-game sweep. They got off to a good start in the second round against the Chicago Blackhawks, leading 2-1 after three games.  

Chicago went on to win the next two games before putting the nail in the coffin with a 7-5 win for Game 6.  All seven goals were scored against Roberto Luongo, who posted an atrocious .767 save percentage in the affair.  

One year later, Vancouver yet again found themselves facing the Blackhawks in Round 2 of the playoffs.  They were once more defeated in Game 6, and it was another embarrassing performance.  

Roberto Luongo allowed five goals in the sixth game, as well as five goals and six goals in Games 3 and 4.  The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup.   

In last season's playoffs, the Canucks once again found themselves facing the Blackhawks; this time in the first round.  It appeared that Luongo's struggles had ended, as he led the Canucks to a 3-0 series lead over Chicago.  

Chicago, however, went on to win the next three games, two of which in dominating fashion, tying the series at three.  

Game 7, possibly one of the most intense games in recent history, saw the Canucks leading the game 1-0, with the clock ticking down.  With 1:56 remaining in the third period, Luongo allowed a weak short-handed goal (although he wasn't the only one to blame) by Jonathan Toews to bring the game to overtime.  

In overtime, Luongo shut the door numerous times on a Chicago power play, before Alex Burrows iced the game, firing a slap shot by Chicago goalie Corey Crawford after a failed clearing attempt. 

Vancouver went on to make it to the Stanley Cup finals against Boston, where Luongo's inconsistency played a big part in the eventual loss of Game 7, as you likely remember.  

Over the years, Roberto Luongo has played some spectacular playoff games.  Unfortunately, the bad has outweighed the good, leaving many questioning his ability to lead the team to success.

But where did it all begin?

Two years prior to the first series loss against the Blackhawks, Luongo played in the postseason for the first time.  In Game 5 of the second round against Anaheim, Luongo allowed the game and series winner in double overtime.  

While his play in the series and the game were spectacular, it was the fashion of the winning goal that really affected him.

On the play, Jannik Hansen carried the puck to the blue line before taking a hit and losing the puck.  Luongo, feeling that a penalty should have been called, decided to take it up with the referee, despite the fact that the game was still in play and the puck was still in the zone.  

Scott Niedermayer ended up throwing a weak wrist shot on net from 59 feet away, beating a distracted Luongo to take the series.  

It was this goal that has led to the struggles we've witnessed in the past years.  

Whether or not Luongo will ever get past his playoff woes remains to be seen.  

Will this be a temporary setback in his career?

Or did Scott Niedermayer ruin Roberto Luongo's playoff ability the way Nicklas Lidstrom's center ice goal ruined Dan Cloutier's career?  

Only time will tell.