Jagr Looks To Help Panthers Against Devils
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MIAMI (AP) -- It didn't work out as planned, but the future Hall of Famer is hardly to blame.
Jagr looks help the Panthers avoid getting swept by the Devils for the first time in 14 years as the teams close out their seasons Saturday night in Sunrise.
Florida (37-29-15) was two points behind Boston for the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot when it sent a second-round pick in 2015 and conditional third-round selection in 2016 to New Jersey for Jagr on Feb. 26. The Panthers weren't able to make a run, however, getting eliminated from contention with last Saturday's 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay.
Florida also struggled in Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Montreal before bouncing back to beat the Bruins 4-2 on Thursday. Jagr had two assists to reach 1,800 points for his career, passing Ron Francis for fourth on the NHL's all-time list.
Jagr has five goals and 11 assists in 19 games with Florida.
"You smile because you won the game," he said. "When you win the game it makes everything a lot easier. You don't get tired when you're winning, I'm smiling about that."
Roberto Luongo made 34 saves for his 401st victory. He's gone 5-1-0 with a 1.83 goals-against average in his last seven home starts.
"I wouldn't qualify (the win) as sweet. We're still out of the playoffs, so it doesn't really matter," Luongo said after dealing Boston's playoff hopes a big blow. "We're still on the outside looking in. We'll take it and get ready for the last one and move on."
Luongo had posted a 1.27 GAA in winning seven consecutive matchups with the Devils before allowing seven goals on 27 shots in two losses this season. The Panthers, who managed one goal in each of those defeats, haven't been swept by New Jersey since losing four meetings in 2000-01.
The Devils (32-35-14) are coming off their third consecutive loss and ninth in 10 games, 4-3 in overtime to Tampa Bay on Thursday. Adam Henrique and Scott Gomez assisted on both of Steve Bernier's goals, but the Lightning scored 1:22 into the extra period when a shot deflected off defenseman Seth Helgeson's shin.
Keith Kinkaid finished with 27 saves as New Jersey allowed three power-play goals on eight chances, matching season worsts in both categories.
"We had too many penalties," general manager and interim co-coach Lou Lamoriello said. "You can't take eight penalties, you know, especially against a team like that. But our effort was excellent."
Cory Schneider is expected to be in goal as he tries to snap a career-worst seven-start losing streak, during which he's posted a 3.10 GAA. Schneider made 28 saves in a 5-1 win at Florida on Oct. 11, improving to 3-1-0 with a 1.95 GAA against the Panthers.
Devils forward Michael Cammalleri has been limited to three goals and four assists in his last 15, but he's scored in three straight against Florida to go with an assist.
Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Panthers with a career-high 53 points after picking up 20 in his last 19 games. He's come up empty against the Devils this season, leaving him with four assists in seven career matchups.
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