Vancouver Canucks: Why the All-Star Break Will Be Good for Roberto Luongo

With the Vancouver Canucks playing just four more games prior to the NHL All-Star break, one player will be breathing a sigh of relief to have some time off, goaltender Roberto Luongo. Luongo has not played in an All-Star game since 2009, but did play during the 2010 Olympics in place of an All-Star appearance, helping Canada to a Gold Medal. He did not play last year's ASG and it proved beneficial justified by his play down the stretch and into the 2011 NHL playoffs.

For a goalie whose career has been dominated by overplaying, this four-day break is good for Luongo. Luongo is second only to Martin Brodeur in games played since the lockout, and at 32 years of age, signs of wear and tear are beginning to show. 

The Vancouver Canucks have done an excellent job balancing out the goaltending rotation between Luongo and backup Cory Schneider the past couple of seasons, with Schneider sliding in every three or four games, and it has helped Luongo's play immensely.

That being said, it is nice for Luongo and the rest of the Canucks to take All-Star weekend off, sort of a vacation from reality, to travel to be with their families that they don't often see, and to just rest and relax. It allows Luongo to come back refocused for the stretch drive and ready to play.

Not to say that Luongo isn't focused already, but if last season is any indicator, he will be playing his best hockey of the year after the break. 

The break also allows Luongo to escape all the rumors of a possible trade and negativity surrounding him. For anyone, a mini vacation is good, but for someone who has essentially played hockey non-stop the past two years, the All-Star Break is a blessing in disguise for Luongo and the rest of the Canucks.

Hopefully Luongo takes the time off well and returns an even bigger beast than he has proven to be in the past. If so, the Canucks are going to be a scary team down the stretch and into the 2012 playoff drive.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow John on Twitter: @JohnBainSports