Jagr misses Game 2; denies feuding with Hlinka By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer Saturday April 28, 2001 8:04 PM BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Jaromir Jagr and Penguins coach Ivan Hlinka had an animated discussion about 90 minutes before Pittsburgh's 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. They spoke in their native Czech, with raised voices. "We were talking about cards," a smiling Jagr told The Associated Press after the game, which he missed with an injury. "Regular playing cards. What's wrong with you guys?" Said Hlinka: "It was a regular discussion. Not about anything special. ... I just talked to him about regular life." The conversation ended when Jagr - Pittsburgh's captain - pointed his stick in Hlinka's direction, at which point a frowning Hlinka, arms folded, turned and walked away. Jagr, who won his fourth consecutive scoring title this season, sat out the game after getting a charley horse in his right leg in Thursday's series opener. He did not feel healthy enough for the pregame skate Saturday, after feeling sore Friday during a 20-minute practice session. Jagr wouldn't say whether he'll play in Game 3 on Monday. The Penguins, who lead the series 2-0, say he's day-to-day. Unlike during the regular season, NHL teams aren't required to announce injuries in the playoffs and keep that information closely guarded. It's just as difficult to gauge Jagr's relationship with Hlinka. Before Mario Lemieux returned from retirement in December, Jagr - unhappy with Hlinka's defense-oriented philosophy - asked to be traded. There's also the question of whether the cash-strapped Penguins can afford Jagr's hefty contract, and there has been speculation he might be traded this summer. "Hopefully he's happy. This is the best time of his life. He's a young guy that's had a great career so far," Lemieux, who co-owns the Penguins, said recently. "This has to be the best time of his life. I'm not so sure he realizes that."
