SUNRISE–It’s hard to win games when your reigning scoring leader  leaves the game early, but the Florida Panthers  topped Tampa Bay Monday night after losing Jaromir Jagr to nagging leg muscles for the second straight game. Jagr also left Saturday’s loss vs. Washington. In the vague world of hockey injuries it is either a groin injury as reported after the Capitals game, or a charley horse on the other leg, as Coach Gerald Gallant said after Monday’s game. The San Jose Sharks (7-6-0) visit the Panthers (6-6-1) at BB&T Center tonight in a match-up between two teams that haven’t found the consistency shown in their successful seasons last year.

Jagr was on the ice for the game day skate Thursday morning and that often signals a player should be ready to play if there are not setbacks before the game.Leg strength factors heavily into a player’s ability to skate and shoot so we’ll see if enough healing has occurred should Jagr play in his 1643rd NHL game tonight.  It has been a prolonged point drought for Jagr with five points in the team’s 13 games. Jagro came into camp 15 pounds lighter following a season he finished strong with 32 points in the Panthers final 32 games.

Also rejoining the lineup tonight for the Panthers is forward Jussi Jokinen who has missed several weeks of action. Getting back two of their top-9 forwards should give the offense a boost if Jagr and Jokinen are able to play. Highlights of Monday’s win over the Lightning can be see by following this link to nhl.com:

https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-fla/2016/11/07/2016020182#game=2016020182,game_state=final

Tickets for all Florida Panthers games can be secured at panthers.nhl.com.