National Hockey League Avalanche vs. Panthers Picks & Predictions

Jaromir Jagr getting injured would be the worst news in the history of news or things that are bad, so hopefully the National Hockey League legend is OK as he leaves Tuesday night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

The dilution of the lines was evident as the Panthers struggled to generate offensive traction in the absence of Jagr.

“It’s fun when you have a night like that and get three goals and move the puck like that”, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said.

Gallant said that Jagr could have returned to the game and that he’s considered day-to-day. “We didn’t do that”, Johnson said. He has maintenance days and hopes he uses more than he doesn’t. Was he thinking about coming back [Tuesday]? You want to play with smart players, and he makes a lot of good reads and smart decisions.

The Panthers rallied around not having Jagr or center Sasha Barkov (hand) against the Avalanche and became the first team this season and fourth since last season to go 3 for 3 on the power play.

Vincent Trocheck picked up the offensive slack with a pair of power-play goals and an assist on another.

The Panthers won their second straight game. But, ahem, it was 4-0 going into the final minute of regulation.

“Every single guy in this locker room can score; we have a very talented team”, Trocheck said.

Anaheim, which has lost eight of its first nine games (1-6-2), came in with just six goals in the opening eight games.

The Panthers capitalized on power play opportunities and the Avalanche did not.

Smith stretched the Panthers lead to 3-0 on the power-play with 10:11 left in the third.

“You have to do the little things better, bear down”.

Luongo withstood five Colorado power plays with the help of an effective penalty kill effort, including a 5-on-3 in the second period. “We just need to put everything together”.

Gallant said that Luongo was suffering from dehydration and cramped up during the game. “He’s fine; no issues there”. Florida has scored on 27.3 percent of its chances.

“[Coach] Mike Kelly has done a great job with us”, Brian Campbell said.

“We know that when we compare where we’re at from previous year, we’re way ahead”, Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said.