Jagr's experience was useful, along with captain Derek MacKenzie, after the Ducks went ahead 1-0 on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano at 2:45 of the second period. The Panthers, 6-1-0 in their past seven games, moved within one point of the second wild-card berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. They face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at Staples Center (10 p.m. ET; FS-W, FS-F, NHL.TV)
"It's a poised group on the bench," said Tom Rowe, the Panthers' general manager and coach. "They don't usually get too panicked. That's where {Jagr] comes in and Derek MacKenzie and the veteran guys. They keep the young kids calm."
Earlier Friday, at the morning skate, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle referenced the parts of three seasons Jagr played for the Washington Capitals.
"He was a different player in '02 and '03 when I was in Washington as an assistant, and that was the first experience I had with Jags and I would say he's a different person and a different athlete now," Carlyle said. "He's obviously taken the directions which people were trying to direct him in at that point. It took a little while for it to sink in."
Carlyle, for the record, wasn't one of the "people" trying to direct Jagr in those days.
"It wasn't really my responsibility," Carlyle said. "It was Bruce Cassidy's responsibility, and that was his first coaching stint in Washington. Jags had 75 points, and he played in a position where [it was] 'Get me the puck. I'm over here.'
"And he delivered. He continues to deliver offense."
No one knew that better on Friday than the Ducks and Josh Manson.