NHL NEWS DEC 21 – JAGR TIES MESSIER FOR SECOND PLACE ON ALL-TIME POINTS LIST

Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr notched three assists – his first such performance since March 31, 2014 vs. FLA (1-3—4 w/ NJD) – to tie Mark Messier for second place on the NHL’s all-time points list.

Jagr (755-1,132—1,887) recorded his 1,887th career point while playing in his 1,662nd career NHL game, 94 fewer than Messier (694-1,193—1,887 in 1,756 GP) played in his career. Wayne Gretzky recorded 894-1,963—2,857 in 1,487 career games.

“Right now I just enjoy every moment I get a chance to play in this league and try to do everything I can to stay in this league. I love it so much. I know when I said I want to play till 50 everybody was laughing at me, but I’ll work every day to do it.” – Jaromir Jagr

LUONGO ALSO MOVES UP ALL-TIME LIST WITH WIN

While Jaromir Jagr factored on all three Panthers goals in regulation, his teammate Roberto Luongo made 33 saves through overtime and stopped both shootout attempts to pick up his 447th career victory, tying Terry Sawchuk for fifth place on the NHL’s all-time list. Only Martin Brodeur (691), Patrick Roy (551), Ed Belfour (484) and Curtis Joseph (454) have recorded more victories.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• Sharks forward Joe Thornton (0-2—2) became the 37th player in NHL history to play in 1,400 career games. Only four other active players have reached the milestone: Jaromir Jagr (1,662), Jarome Iginla (1,505), Shane Doan (1,498) and Patrick Marleau (1,444)
• Defenseman Jeff Petry (1-2—3) posted his second career three-point game as the Canadiens picked up their League-leading 15th home win
• Ottawa teammates Derick Brassard and Tom Pyatt scored 10 seconds apart – two seconds shy of equaling the franchise record for fastest two goals – to help the Senators defeat the League-leading Blackhawks
• Thomas Greiss made a career-high 48 saves, punctuated by 21 in the third period, to help the Islanders halt a five-game skid (0-4-1)
• Blues forward David Perron scored his first career overtime goal (604 GP)
• Forwards James Neal (NSH), Jannik Hansen (VAN) and Joonas Donskoi (SJS) each scored twice in wins
• Victor Hedman (0-1—1) became the first Lightning defenseman to record 200 career assists
• Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano scored while playing in his 738th consecutive game, surpassing Jay Bouwmeester for the fifth-longest such streak in NHL history. Only Doug Jarvis (964) had a longer such run to begin his NHL career
• Bruins forward Anton Blidh (7 GP) scored his first career NHL goal
• Forward Pat Cannone, 30, became the second-oldest player to make his NHL debut with the Wild, while Tanner Richard (TBL) and Nick Jensen (DET) also skated in their first career NHL games
• The NHL will celebrate the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic in Toronto with The PreGame featuring a special concert by alt-rock band Arkells
• Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, Predators defenseman P.K. Subban and forwards Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Connor McDavid of the Oilers remain the top vote-getters by division in the third week of voting in the 2017 NHL All-Star Fan Vote.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY Islanders 4, BOSTON 2
Nashville 5, NEW JERSEY 1
PITTSBURGH 7, NY Rangers 2
COLUMBUS 3, Los Angeles 2 (SO)
MONTREAL 5, Anaheim 1
TAMPA BAY 4, Detroit 1
FLORIDA 4, Buffalo 3 (SO)
MINNESOTA 2, Colorado 0
Ottawa 4, CHICAGO 3
St. Louis 3, DALLAS 2 (OT)
VANCOUVER 4, Winnipeg 1
SAN JOSE 4, Calgary 1

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Washington @ Philadelphia, 8 p.m.
Edmonton @ Arizona, 9:30 p.m.