Panthers Look To Ride Jagr, Hot Line To Another Win
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MIAMI (AP) -- Jaromir Jagr has provided a spark for his Florida linemates since arriving from New Jersey.
The Panthers look to ride Jagr and their hot line to another win Saturday night when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes.
Florida (30-23-14) has won four of six, scoring five power-play goals on 20 opportunities. The 43-year-old Jagr went without a point in a career-worst eight straight games to end his Devils tenure before being traded on Feb. 26. He didn't record a point in his Panthers debut, a Feb. 28 win over Buffalo, but has one goal and four assists in his last four contests. Meanwhile, linemate and 21-year-old Jonathan Huberdeau has two goals and six assists in his last five games alongside Jagr after going without a point in eight of 10.
Both assisted on the go-ahead goal by 19-year-old Aleksander Barkov in the third period of Thursday's 4-2 win over Winnipeg. They also helped set up Brad Boyes' second-period power-play goal.
"They took another step since Jagr got here in the tradeand they feel confident and they're going out every time. I think they have a chance to score every time they go on the ice," coach Gerard Gallant told the team's official website. "That's what's good about those kids right now."
Huberdeau has eight points in seven career meetings with Carolina.
The Panthers, who are six points back of Boston for the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot, have earned a point in three straight games with Dan Ellis in net in place of the injured Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya, who were both hurt in a March 3 loss to Toronto.
Ellis hasn't played more than 20 games in a season in four years and hadn't seen any NHL action this season until being called up from the AHL on March 4.
"I haven't had a chance to play many games in March," Ellis said. "I'm glad to be here, glad to be able to contribute now, and it's working out well."
Montoya and Luongo combined for 33 saves in a 1-0 home win over Carolina on Nov. 26, with Montoya making 22 stops after replacing an injured Luongo in the second period. Nick Bjugstad scored 21 seconds in.
Florida has dropped four of five in Carolina, however, and is trying to avoid a season-worst fourth straight road loss.
The Hurricanes (25-33-8) have given up 20 goals during a 1-3-1 stretch despite limiting opponents to 25.8 shots per game. Cam Ward owns a 3.73 goals-against average in his last four games while Anton Khudobin has posted a 3.33 mark over his last eight and faced 31 shots in a 5-3 loss to Dallas on Thursday.
"This time of year, typically what happens is that it gets harder to score, not easier. If you think you're going to get enough to outscore your mistakes, you're probably wrong," coach Bill Peters told the team's official website. "We've got to tighten up."
Victor Rask continues to enjoy a strong rookie campaign, scoring his 10th goal and recording two assists. He has two goals and four assists in his last six games.
"We just need to execute the plays. We have to believe in ourselves," Rask said. "We know we can make plays, and we have to keep working."
Eric Staal has seven goals and seven assists in his last 11 home games against the Panthers.
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