Jagr passes Howe on points list

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr got another commemorative puck Monday when he moved into sole possession of third place on the NHL all-time points list, but he downplayed the significance of the milestone after a 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at BB&T Center.
Jagr had an assist for his 1,851st NHL point and moved one ahead of Gordie Howe. Jagr trails Mark Messier (1,887) and Wayne Gretzky (2,857).

"It's more for you guys (in the media)," Jagr said. "It's behind me now. Let's concentrate on wins."
Jagr was credited with an assist after Aleksander Barkov scored on a rebound against Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask with 3:12 remaining in the first period. Boston coach Claude Julien challenged the play for goalie interference, but the goal was upheld.
Jagr moved into third place on the all-time goal list Feb. 20 when he passed Brett Hull with two goals in a 3-2 victory against the Winnipeg Jets at BB&T Center. His 743 NHL goals trail Gretzky's 894 and Howe's 801.

"As a coaching staff, you know it's going to happen," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "It doesn't bother anybody, it doesn't affect anybody. He's a great player, he's scoring points every night. I don't think there was any distraction with that. Maybe people could make it out to be, but there was no distraction at all in our room because it was just a matter of time before he was going to get it.
"It's great to be there. You see him on the clock and passing Gordie Howe in points. I mean, that's unbelievable. But really, I try and come and do my job and put him on the ice as much as I can."
Jagr has 21 goals and 49 points in 63 games this season. The 44-year-old made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 1990, and has played 1,613 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and Panthers.

Howe played 1,687 games with the Detroit Red Wings and 80 in one season with the Hartford Whalers (1979-80). He played six seasons in the World Hockey Association. Jagr missed three NHL seasons playing in the Kontinental Hockey League from 2008-11.
"It's amazing," said Panthers forward Jiri Hudler, who trained with Jagr in the Czech Republic during the summer when he was 17 years old. "Nothing else you can say. You guys and us, we've been waiting for that one point. I don't know what to say, third-best ever. He's been consistent for a lot of years and he's playing great still."