With his third assist of the game against the Buffalo Sabres, Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers tied Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier for second in NHL history in career points on Tuesday night.
Jagr’s third-period assist on Nick Bjugstad’s first goal of the season, which tied the game 3-3, gave the legendary winger 1,887 points in 1,662 career games. Messier scored his 1,887 in 1,756 in a career that spanned from 1978 to 2004.
With the puck deep in the Sabres’ zone, Jagr stripped the puck from defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. Because he’s Jaromir Jagr, he drew three Sabres defenders, leaving linemate Sasha Barkov open for a pass. Barkov slipped the puck over to Bjugstad for a layup goal past Robin Lehner, and Jagr had his third helper on the night and 13th assist on the season.
Jagr also assisted on goals by Barkov and Keith Yandle in the Panthers’ 4-3 shootout win.
The Panthers played video salute to Jagr before the teams went to overtime, to celebrate the achievement.
“It’s great stuff, no question about it. It’s a bonus for my job,” said Jagr.
They host the Boston Bruins on Thursday, with Jagr having a chance to move into sole possession of second all-time in NHL points.
The 44-year-old Jagr is with his eighth NHL team. He scored 1,079 of his points with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 11 seasons; 195 with the New York Rangers in four seasons; 118 with the Washington Capitals in three seasons; 96 points with the New Jersey Devils in 139 games; 54 points with the Philadelphia Flyers, 26 points with the Dallas Stars and nine points with the Boston Bruins, each in one season; and 103 points with the Panthers in 132 games.
While we all assume Jagr will play until the NHL folds or the sun explodes (whatever comes first), it’s going to be difficult to catch Wayne Gretzky’s 2,857 points, which lead the NHL all-time. Easier would be Gordie Howe’s 801 goals, but Jagr only has six goals in 33 games this season for 755 in his career.
Which brings us back to the eternal question about Jaromir Jagr: What could have been were it not for work stoppages and his three-year sabbatical in the Russian KHL?
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