Records Set To Be Broken

Reality being what it is, stats and records are made to be broken as long as they are done in such a manner so as not to tarnish the sport by using performance enhancing drugs to better oneself.

Are you like some watching Jagr play and miss his long flowing mullet in the wind and maybe for him this was a part of his “trade-mark” for a legacy he is leaving for the game.

Now the older and much wiser Jaromir Jagr is treating fans and teammates to the delight of his talent by teaching today’s younger players what it’s like to play, have fun and entertain the fans – who  pay his salary.

One would think the impossible became the possible given the number of excellent players in the NHL, but some stand out more than others.

One such player is “older” statesman Jaromir Jagr who recently surpassed Brett Hull and has 742 career goals trailing only the Great One – Wayne Gretzky with 894 and his mentor Gordie Howe who has 801.

“When I got a birthday cake for my 44th birthday (on Monday), I said I wish I’m going to be a goal scorer,” Jagr said. “So far it worked so maybe I’m going to catch Gordie (Howe) and maybe Wayne Gretzky, too, you know?”

Reilly Smith had the go-ahead PP goal early in the third and after missing two games Luongo stopped 30 shots in his return helping the Panthers win for just the third time in eight games (3-3-2).

Jagr tied Hull with his first goal at 4:53 into the second skating down the middle toward the goal then redirecting a centering pass from Kulikov putting the puck over Hutchinson’s right shoulder tying the score at 1.

A Kid At Heart

“It was special. I couldn’t even dream about it, first of all (Jagr) playing on the same team with me and then getting an assist on the history-making goal. It’s really special,” Kulikov said of his assist.

Jagr also earned well deserved praise from Hutchinson as well.

Smith scored his 19th goal, at 3:58 of the third on a power play, to give Florida a 2-1 edge. The right wing fired a wrist shot from the right circle and the puck beat Hutchinson to the right side.

Jagr then scored his 20th of the season and the tiebreaker to move into sole possession of third on the career list on a wrist shot from close range with 6:23 left in the third period to make it 3-1.

“Of course, I love the game. There’s no reason to quit,” Jagr said. “I love the game. There’s a million people who wanted to be in my position. If I can play in the NHL, why not keep going?”

Luongo played for the first time since allowing five goals on 28 shots in a 5-0 loss against Nashville a week earlier.

Luongo told the media “It was a tough week for me and I wasn’t happy obviously with my last few starts and I put in a good week of work and usually it gets you over the hump and I felt good in the game – I felt sharp and on top of every puck.”