Panthers' Rowe glad Jagr skipped morning skate

Where's Jaromir?

That was the question in Sunrise, Fla., after the legendary Jaromir Jagr passed on the Florida Panthers' optional morning skate prior to Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers.

It was a change of pace for Jagr, as the ageless wonder prefers to stay late into the on-ice sessions. But the saved energy will serve him well with a valuable two points up for grabs against the Rangers.

"He knows how important (this game) is," Panthers interim coach Tom Rowe told George Richards of the Miami Herald.

The Panthers are in the thick of the playoff race, sitting two points back of the New York Islanders for the East's final playoff seed. A postseason berth would mark back-to-back playoffs for the Panthers, who were eliminated by the Islanders in six games in the opening round last spring. Florida has not qualified for the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1997.

Not only was Jagr missing from Tuesday's skate, but Rowe would also like to see more of him on the scoresheet. The veteran winger has one point in his past seven games.

Jagr's linemates, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, also weren't immune to Rowe's criticism, with the coach calling out his top line for its lagging production.

It's been a familiar refrain for Rowe. Following Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, Rowe set his sights on Reilly Smith, railing against the winger for his play that led to the Stars' game-winning goal.