George Richards, FHN Publisher
SUNRISE — Just over a week ago, Claude Giroux talked about not having chemistry with new Florida Panthers line partner Jonathan Huberdeau saying it would come in time.
Well, look at that: Seems a couple of Panthers found themselves some chemistry.
Now, while a couple of games may seem like we’re jumping to conclusions here but Huberdeau and Giroux are such cerebral players, it only seemed natural their partnership would eventually blossom.
Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets, it looked like those two had been playing together for years and not days.
“It was one game and obviously we were clicking and finding each other. We need to build on this,” Giroux told Florida Hockey Now after recording three points — two off Huberdeau goals — in Friday’s 6-1 win.
“We have to make sure we keep working together. I think he is a smart hockey player who is great at reading plays not only offensively, but defensively. I just try to complement him.”
Coach Andrew Brunette originally placed Giroux up on Florida’s top line with Sasha Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe upon the blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia Flyers back on March 19.
That lasted a little while, but it appears the Panthers really like the potential of Giroux going with Huberdeau and Sam Bennett.
Florida also likes Anthony Duclair up on the top line.
And, athough the Huberdeau-Giroux partnership did not get off to the start either had hoped for, there may be a reason for it.
“They are both highly-talented, smart hockey players and it is fun to see them connect,” Brunette said. “They have been trying so hard to connect and probably trying too hard. Tonight was an example of just playing and not forcing things. They just read each other really well. It was really nice to see them get a couple goals there together.”
That said, Giroux and Huberdeau have played eight games together now and have combined for 25 points.
Not bad.
Friday, they had six points together in the rout of the Jets.
“When you come to a new team, you want to help right away, try to be unselfish and try to make sure everyone is happy playing with you,’’ said Giroux, who has 12 points in 11 games since joining the Panthers.
“You want to give them the puck. But, at the end of the day, you just have to go out there and play hockey. Make the plays that are in front of you.”
Florida opened the scoring just 2:03 into the game when Giroux fired a shot that went wide of the net and bounded off the end boards — and right onto the stick of a waiting Huberdeau who put it into the net.
Was it a set play off the boards?
”I would like to say yes to that,” Giroux said with a grin. “But definitely not. I was trying to score there.”
A little over four minutes later, Giroux was in low and saw Huberdeau flash toward the net and sent a slick, cross-ice pass through traffic that Huberdeau hopped on to make it 2-0.
“It takes time and they both have so much composure out there that they’re deadly,’’ Sam Reinhart said. “They are a deadly combo and not easy to defend. It’s good to see that they are starting to click and go in the right direction.’’
With Sergei Bobrovsky in tune and playing a nice game, that was all the Panthers needed.
Florida did get another two-goal night from Gus Forsling (he scored the two after Huberdeau) with Mason Marchment and Maxim Mamin getting payback for goals pulled off the boards in the first period.
Marchment and Mamin’s third-period goals finished off the scoring after Winnipeg “cut” the score to 4-1 early in the third period.
The Panthers now hit the road for a quick two-game trip to Detroit and Long Island where the team can continue their run to the regular-season Eastern Conference title.
As much as team accomplishments mean something, Huberdeau’s three points gives him at least one point in each of his past 13 games (11-13, 24).
That ties Pavel Bure (1999-00) for the second-longest point streak in franchise history.
“We are having so much fun here at home for sure, got the crowd there with us today,’’ Forsling said.
”It is a lot of fun when we are winning.”