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Sutter praises Jagr-Benn combo, Jagr says ‘We’re probably 30 percent of what we can play’

JagrJaromir

Here’s a scary thought for the Western Conference -- Dallas’ dynamic duo of Jamie Benn and Jaromir Jagr have barely scratched the surface of what they feel they can accomplish.

That was the story out of Los Angeles on Thursday night as the Stars beat the Kings 5-2 on the strength of four points -- two goals and two assists -- from Jagr and Benn.

“We couldn’t handle the Benn line,” Kings head coach Darryl Sutter said following the game. "[We] had nobody to answer the checking responsibly.”

Without much fanfare, the Benn-Jagr-Loui Eriksson line has been coming on lately. The trio has combined for 12 points over the last five games and the Stars have collected seven of a possible 10 points, putting them seventh in the Western Conference.

What’s more, Jagr said he and Benn are just starting to figure each other out.

“I think we are probably at 30 percent of where we can play. I think we’ve got a long way. We can get a lot better,” Jagr told Stars Inside Edge. “Obviously, I play a different style of the game than he’s probably used to. It’s tough for me at my age to change. I cannot dump and chase. I’m not fast for that, so I like to keep the pucks. He has to a little bit adjust.

“I know it’s not his game, but so far he’s doing a good job.”

At 41, Jagr leads the Stars in scoring (with 17 points), one more point than his 23-year-old running mate.

Throw in a streaking Derek Roy (six points in his last five games) and the impending return of Ray Whitney, and Dallas could crack the postseason for the first time in five years.