National Hockey League
Florida 2, Anaheim 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, February 3, 2017
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Referees: Jean Hebert, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Devin Berg, Tony Sericolo
Attendance: 14689

SUNRISE, Fla. -- It took 52 games to feel this way.

Jaromir Jagr told Aleksander Barkov he wasn't used to playing in the offensive zone as much as he was on Friday night, when the Florida Panthers peppered the Anaheim Ducks with 37 shots.

But that's what happens when the Panthers have their top line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Barkov and Jagr healthy and together for the first time all season.

Huberdeau scored the winning goal off an assist from Barkov -- both players fresh off the injured list -- to lead Florida past Anaheim 2-1 at the BB&T Center.

"They're unbelievable," Panthers interim coach Tom Rowe said of Huberdeau and Barkov. "For the amount of time they've been out ... unbelievable."

Skating four-on-four, Barkov got control of the puck on the left wing after a Keith Yandle stretch pass. Barkov centered the puck to Huberdeau, who didn't look rusty at all, elevating the puck and getting it past Anaheim goalie John Gibson's glove with 4:58 left in the second period.

"It wasn't my best game," Huberdeau said. "I was a little tired at the end. But for the first game, I'm very happy with myself. Your first goal back is always special."

The Panthers shut down the Ducks' offense, allowing them only three shots on goal in the third period, including none in the first 17 minutes.

But the biggest story was the return of the guys known as "Hubie and Barkie".

This was the season debut for Huberdeau, who severed an Achilles tendon in Florida's final exhibition game. Barkov hadn't played since suffering a back injury on Dec. 28. Last season, Barkov had career highs in points (28) and assists (31). Huberdeau had career highs in goals (20) and points (59).

"It was nice," Barkov said of his first game in more than a month. "'Hubie' has been out all season, and the first game back, he scores a goal. It was a pretty amazing feeling for both of us."

Florida (23-19-10) won its third game in a row.

Anaheim (28-16-9) was held to just one goal, by Hampus Lindholm and also suffered an injury. Defenseman Sami Vatanen left the game due to a lower-body injury and did not return.

"He got squeezed along the boards," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "I don't have any (updates) for you guys other than lower-body."

The win went to backup goalie James Reimer, who had been set to start Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators. Reimer was scratched from Tuesday's start when his wife gave birth to the couple's first child.'

Asked how his week went, Reimer grinned and said: "Busy."

He wasn't nearly as busy on Friday. He needed to make just 22 saves to earn career win No. 100.

Each team produced a first-period goal, and the scores came just 13 seconds apart.

Lindholm opened the scoring with a laser-beam wrist shot from just beyond the left circle. Antoine Vermette set up the play by winning a faceoff and getting the puck to Lindholm.

The Panthers tied the score as Reilly Smith made a bee-line for the front of the crease, where he quickly scored on a centering pass from Jason Demers.

Carlyle didn't blame Gibson for allowing either Florida goal.

"We wasted a real good game by our goaltender," Carlyle said. "He's been real solid -- you can't deny that."

Florida had a chance to go ahead midway through the second period as Anaheim was called for two penalties within five seconds of each other -- holding on Korbinian Holzer and delay of game against Josh Manson for flipping the puck over the glass.

The Panthers had a two-man advantage for 1:55 but could only manage five shots and no goals.

That lost opportunity, though, was forgotten by the Panthers when Huberdeau cashed in his chance in front of the net.

"I thought this one of the best games we've played as a team," Reimer said. "We limited their chances, and it was good to have Hubie and Barkie back. They're great players."

NOTES: Ducks G John Gibson (20-12-8, 2.28) is one win away from tying his single-season high for victories, which he set last year. ... Florida assigned F Paul Thompson, 28, to AHL Springfield. ... Florida scratched D Jakub Kindl and C Greg McKegg. ... Florida is off until the Los Angeles Kings visit on Thursday. ... Anaheim scratched D Shea Theodore and RW Ondrej Kase. ... This was the start of a six-game Ducks trip. In order, the rest of the trip is as follows: Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild. ... Ducks D Cam Fowler, a 2010 first-round pick, is having a career season in goals scored (11) in this his seventh year in Anaheim.
Top Game Performances
 
Anaheim   Florida
Hampus Lindholm 1 Points Keith Yandle 2
Hampus Lindholm 1 Goals Jonathan Huberdeau 1
Antoine Vermette 1 Assists Keith Yandle 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
John Gibson .946 Save Percentage James Reimer .957
John Gibson 35 Saves James Reimer 22
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Anaheim 23 1 0-3 5-5 17 30
Florida 37 2 0-5 3-3 13 28
Upcoming Games
  • Florida will play their next game at home against Los Angeles. The Panthers have a W/L % of .348 after a win and .517 after a loss.
  • Anaheim will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Ducks have a W/L % of .414 after a win and .667 after a loss.