WASHINGTON -- Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo did not return for the third period of a 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday with an upper-body injury sustained during a first-period collision with Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin.

"It was a mutual decision just to keep me out for precautionary reasons so nothing more than that," Luongo said. "It was just best, I think, to sit out the third period and make sure everything is okay."

With 6:23 remaining in the first period, Luongo and Ovechkin struck each other at high speed as they raced for a loose puck in Washington's offensive zone. Ovechkin's right shoulder made contact with Luongo's head, knocking the Panthers goaltender to the ice. He remained in the game until the start of the third period, when Al Montoya came on in relief.

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant had yet to speak to trainers when he addressed reporters, so Luongo's status for Florida's next game Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks, with whom Luongo spent eight seasons, is uncertain.