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Hot and Not: Luongo putting up a wall in Florida, Stone skidding in Ottawa

Roberto Luongo's hot streak has played a key role in the Panthers' recent rise in the standings. AP Photo/Joel Auerbach

A look at the players trending up and down over the past week.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Stepping up

Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers: There’s more than one reason the Panthers have won nine consecutive games, but goaltending has been a key component to the streak. Luongo recorded 40 saves to help Florida capture a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday. The win extended his personal winning streak to seven games. He is one shy of equaling his career high, set while playing for the Vancouver Canucks in 2008-09. Saturday’s shutout was the 71st of his career and his third this season.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: It’s been a while since Crosby has been in this category. His recent play has helped the struggling Penguins to a 4-1-1 record in their past six games. He has five goals and five assists in his past seven games. In his past 19 games, he has nine goals and 11 assists, which is a huge improvement from the two goals and seven assists he recorded in his first 18 games of the season.

Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs: The netminder has won five of his past seven games, including a 39-save performance to help the Maple Leafs grab a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Toronto is 7-2-2 in its last 11 games and Bernier has been a big part of that. It’s a far cry from his 0-8-3 start to the season.

A step back

Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators: Since his two-goal performance against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 27, Stone has gone three games without a point. It’s only the second time this season he's gone that long without a point, and the Senators are in the midst of a three-game losing skid.

Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres: With Buffalo in the middle of a four-game losing skid, Kane has not registered a point in that span while averaging 20 minutes per game.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Stepping up

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: His assist during Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets extended his point streak to eight games; he has three goals and eight assists in that span.

Patrick Sharp, Dallas Stars: There’s so much more to the Dallas Stars than Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. One aspect is Sharp’s veteran leadership and production, which includes six goals and six assists in the past nine games.

Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets: Speaking of former Blackhawks, Saad scored twice during Saturday’s 5-4 win over the Washington Capitals. He has six goals and five assists in his past seven games.

A step back

Jason Pominville, Minnesota Wild: The forward is in the midst of a five-game point drought, his longest of the season. He has five goals and 14 assists in 37 games, after finishing the 2014-15 season with 18 goals and 36 assists in 82 games.

Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg Jets: The goaltender suffered a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. He made 31 saves, but his record dropped to 5-9-1. It was his first start since Dec. 22, and it was evident the four-game layoff didn’t help his cause.