Panthers stay alive with 2-1 win over Nashville

In Sunrise Tuesday, the Florida Panthers continued their push for a playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the visiting Nashville Predators.

Roberto Luongo made 45 saves to get the win as the Panthers improved to 41-30-8 and are four points back of the Philadelphia Flyers who lost in Brooklyn Tuesday night to the Islanders, 5-4.

“He made some amazing saves when they had their pushes,” Panthers head coach Bob Boughner said. “He was the difference tonight.”

Luongo won on the back end of a back-to-back brace of games.

“[I felt] better than I thought,” he said. “After last night’s game, I made sure that I did whatever was necessary to get the recovery needed within 24 hours to play again. I was happy the way I felt. I didn’t really feel that sluggish. I felt pretty energized the whole game.”

Jonathan Huberdeau and Colton Sceviour scored for Florida.

“We are a good home team and can get on rolls. We’ve proven that in the second half (of the season),” Boughner said.

Roman Josi scored in the third period to end Luongo’s shutout bid.

“I think it was a goaltending duel. [Pekka Rinne] played amazing and their goalie played amazing too. At the end of the day, we didn’t score enough. I thought our game was pretty good, but obviously not good enough,” the Predators’ Ryan Ellis said after the game.

[WATCH: All Predators vs. Panthers highlights]

Pekka Rinne made 31 saves in the loss.

“We played a good game,” Predators head coach Peter Laviolette said. “Their goalie played really well. There’s a lot at stake for them as well. Our guys played hard; we just couldn’t hit the back of the net.”