Whatever Jaromir Jagr has been taking to stay in shape this season, NHL players want some of it. The 44-year-old has been playing like someone half his age for the Florida Panthers, and he continues to produce for the team as the playoffs get closer.
Jagr moved into third place all-time in scoring in NHL history on Monday night, passing Gordie Howe on the list. Jagr recorded point number 1,851 for his career in a 5-4 loss to the Bruins with an assist on a goal from Aleksander Barkov. Jagr is now third behind Mark Messier, who has 1,887 points, while Wayne Gretzky is first all-time with 2,857 points.
Jagr continues to reach milestones this season, and the latest one comes after he already moved into third place on the all-time goal scoring list. Jagr moved past Brett Hull into third place on that list after scoring against the Winnipeg Jets in February. Jagr now has 49 points on the season with 21 goals and 28 assists in 63 games played.
The Panthers lost the game on Monday night, and Jagr was more interested in talking about the rest of the season for the team over his personal accomplishments. Jagr now is chasing Messier, and it likely will take at least one more season to reach second place on the all-time list. The fans in Florida gave Jagr a standing ovation, and the crowd included just as many Bruins fans as Panthers fans.
"It's more for you guys,'' Jagr said. "It's behind me now; let's concentrate on the wins."
Jagr has spent half of his life playing in the NHL, recording points for eight different teams over 22 seasons. Jagr will go down as one of the most accomplished players in league history once he is done. But at 44, Jagr has shown no signs of slowing down. Jagr has led the Panthers to second place in the Atlantic Division, and the team feels it can make a run in the playoffs.
The team is currently tied with the Bruins with 81 points, one point back of the Tampa Bay Lightning in first place in the division. The Panthers have lost three in a row, but they remain in good position to make the playoffs.