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Panthers trio of Jagr, Huberdeau, Barkov making waves on road trip

Robert Mayer / USA Today

The Boston Bruins will have one of the league's hottest lines to contend with when the Florida Panthers visit Tuesday to wrap up their five-game road trip.

Florida's line of Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov is leading the playoff push with a combined six goals and 16 points in four games, building on the chemistry the trio sparked when Jagr arrived at the beginning of March.

"From the first day (Jagr) got here they've played really well with those two kids,'' Panthers coach Gerard Gallant told George Richards of the Miami Herald. "They aren't just a good line for this team, but a real good line anywhere in the NHL. That's what we've needed every night.''

Jagr scored a pair of goals in a crucial victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. The 43-year-old has been reinvigorated by his youthful new linemates, posting 12 points in 14 games after recording 29 in 57 contests with the New Jersey Devils.

“I've said it before. Nobody really gives these kids credit,'' Jagr said. "They're so talented and they're going to surprise the league in two years. They might just win the Cup the way they play. You know they're going to get better and better. They don't even have to do anything and they're going to get better.''

Florida needs a victory over Boston to keep its slim postseason hopes alive, but the chemistry displayed by Jagr, Huberdeau and Barkov could benefit the franchise for years to come, especially if Jagr re-signs. 

Huberdeau is cherishing every moment he gets to learn from one of the NHL's all-time leading scorers.

"He doesn't have to care about us, what we do, but he does," Huberdeau said. "He's been trying to help us. Every day he helps us. This has been great."

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