Flyers at Panthers
Jaromir Jagr keeps collecting points and reaching milestones while leading the Florida Panthers as they inch closer to sealing up a spot in the postseason. The 44-year-old right wing looks to follow up a big two-goal performance and stay hot on home ice when the Panthers host the sizzling Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Jagr became the fifth player in NHL history to reach 50 points (51) in 20 separate seasons in the 6-2 victory over Ottawa on Thursday and has scored 17 of his 23 goals at home. “Sometimes the puck goes in, sometimes it doesn’t,” Jagr told reporters. “And it’s easier at home, in front of your fans. They push you a little going forward.” The Flyers have won six of their last seven games after a solid 3-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Friday, allowing fewer than 20 shots for the third consecutive game. “Our guys worked hard,” Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol told reporters. “You gotta do all the little things to have a chance to win on the road against a good team. That’s exactly what we did (Friday).”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia. FSN Florida
ABOUT THE FLYERS (32-23-11): Philadelphia pulled within two points of Detroit for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after the victory and have a game in hand with 16 remaining. Brayden Schenn notched his ninth goal and 17th point in his last 14 games Friday while Sam Gagner and Matt Read each netted a power-play tally. Steve Mason made 18 saves for his third consecutive victory Friday while Michal Neuvirth has won three of his last four decisions, and Hakstol did not immediately name a starter for Saturday.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (37-21-9): While the line of Jagr with Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov has been productive all season, the Panthers are showing plenty of depth. Vincent Trocheck became the fourth Panther to reach 20 goals Thursday as he centers a line with Reilly Smith (21 goals) and Jussi Jokinen, who is riding a nine-game point streak (two goals, nine assists). “I feel we have two first lines right now,” Jokinen told the Miami Herald. “We’re going to need that going forward.”
OVERTIME
1. Huberdeau has recorded a goal and three assists in two games since returning from a concussion.
2. Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux was kept off the scoresheet Friday but has collected 11 points in his last eight games.
3. The Flyers lost at Florida 7-1 on Oct. 10 and came back two days later to beat the Panthers 1-0 at home.