NEWARK–After injuries and some disjointed efforts at home for most of the last three weeks, the Florida Panthers hope they can get the second half of the season off to a winning start Monday in New Jersey against the Devils and Wednesday in Brooklyn against the Islanders.
It won’t be easy. With two-thirds of their top line on the injured reserve list, Jaromir Jagr has adapted to working with Vincennt Trocheck at center and top goal-getter Jonathon Marchessault.
Other than Craig McKegg the rest of the lineup has failed to produce goals in recent weeks, making it easy for opponents to concentrate on the top line.
Jagr tells New Jersey media he’s aiming for 55
It’s all part of the game for Jagr, who isn’t tiring of this at all. Before Monday’s game in New Jersey he told the media he’s raised his target retirement age from 50 to 55. Randy Miller of nj.com has covered Jagr with the Penguins, Flyers and Devils and put this nice article together this afternoon.
http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2017/01/jaromir_jagr_recalls_time_with_devils_now_saying_h.html
A more abbreviated effort came from another New Jersey outlet.
(None of the South Florida newspapers filed reports from practice this morning)
Jagr revving up points machine in recent weeks
After a slow start Jagr has finally started collecting points and has produced 19 in his last 24 games. Compared to last year he is four points behind the 29 he produced at the halfway point of last season. He finished that campaign with 32 points over his final 32 games and finished the season with 27 goals and 39 assists for a team-leading 66 points.
The first half saw him become the second all-time leading scorer when he passed Mark Messier with this 1888th point on Dec. vs. Boston At BB&T Center. The next milestone is 1900 points.
As the second half of the season starts tonight, the Jagr-O-Meter summarizes 68’s season and career in statistical form.
Panthers play four this week
Monday, Jan 9, 2017–at New Jersey Devils
Wednesday, Jan 11. 2017–at New York Islanders
Friday, Jan. 13, 2017–host New York Islanders at BB&T Center
Saturday, Jan. 14 2017–host Columbus Blue Jackets at BB&T Center
Tickets for all Panthers games can be purchased at http://www.panthers.nhl.com.
Jagr scoreless as Panthers massacred Saturday by Boston
The less said about this 4-0 shotout at home to the dreaded Bruins, the better. The Cats could have tied in standings points with a regulation win, but the Bruins won the game and lost in overtime Sunday at Carolina to open up a five point lead on the Panthers and claim second place in the Atlantic Division.
https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-fla/2017/01/07/2016020596#game=2016020596,game_state=final
Check jagrometer.com frequently as The Legend Continues…
Jagrometer.com, home of the Jagr-O-Meter, is produced by Ray Haluska. Contact him at rokinray@aol.com, on Twitter: @cruisingray or on the message system connected with this page.
