"We want to make sure that, going on the next trip, we don't put him in a situation to get injured anymore," Boughner said after Saturday's morning skate. "We're hoping that on Monday he's back with the team. He's coming with us on the trip and he's playing some games next week."
In Luongo's absence, the Panthers will turn to Reimer, who has won five of his last six starts and is coming off an incredible three-game stretch in which he allowed just three total goals in wins over Buffalo, Boston and Ottawa. In that span, he stopped 103 of 106 shots (.972 percent).
Harri Sateri was also recalled from AHL Springfield on Saturday to serve as Reimer's backup.
"We've got to make sure that we're good in front of him," Boughner said. "Reims is competing hard, and he's been good here in the last little while. I don't think it matters to us if Louie is in there or if Reims is in there. If we play our game, we'll be successful."
As Boughner said, the man between the pipes hasn't mattered much for the Panthers as of late, as both Luongo and Reimer - and even Sateri for a brief stint -- have been stellar when called upon. Since the All-Star break, the three goaltenders have combined to go 18-6-1, with Luongo leading in wins (9) and Sateri leading in save percentage (.938) during that stretch.
"It doesn't matter who's in net, they've come up huge saves at key points and won us a lot of games," Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad said. "We love having Reims in there; we love having Lou in there. We've got to play hard in front of them."
The Panthers (37-28-7) are coming off a 4-0 loss in Columbus on Thursday -- just the third time they've been held scoreless this season - but have yet to lose consecutive games since mid-February. A key reason for Florida's inability to light the lamp against the Blue Jackets was a lack of bite on the the power play, which is mired in an 0-for-14 stretch.
"Sometimes it's just not going in, but as long as you're generating the chances, that's the main focus," Bjugstad said. "Our penalty kill has been great, but we're going to have to look to our power play these next few games to string us along."
With 10 games left in the regular season, the Panthers currently trail New Jersey -- who plays in Tampa on Saturday night -- by just three points for the second wild card spot into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand.
"I try to stay away from looking at the other teams and seeing how they're doing," Bjugstad said. "We have to focus on what's happening. Obviously, we're close. It's going to be important to just focus on what we can do and not hope for other teams to lose."
The Coyotes (25-38-11) currently own the second-fewest points in the NHL, but have certainly been playing much better as of late, going 13-6-2 since Feb. 8 - which is tied for the sixth-most wins in the league during that span.
Led by rookie forward Clayton Keller, who has tallied a team-leading 57 points this season, Arizona's offense has come online as of late, averaging 4.67 goals over its last three games.
Antti Raanta, who is expected to be in net for the Coyotes, has won nine of his last 11 starts.
"They're playing a lot better," Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk said. "They're playing good hockey right now. We need the two points tonight, so we can't let our foot off the gas."
