Lundqvist left during the second period of Thursday's game to treat neck spasms after a collision with defenseman Ryan McDonagh, but was apparently well enough to throw the net off its moorings in frustration shortly after the collision.
Hellberg, 24, is sporting a 22-16-2 record with a .919 save percentage in 40 games with Hartford this season.
Jagr reached point No. 1,850 in fewer games than both Howe and Messier - No. 2 all-time - but like both, reached the milestone past age 40. The No. 1 player is a completely different story - as Wayne Gretzky caught Mr. Hockey at age 28 in 1989.
Reaching 1,850 points
Player
Age
Games
Seasons
Gretzky
28
780
11
Jagr
44
1611
22
Messier
42
1691
25
Howe
51
1767
26
While Gretzky, in most cases, remains an outlier - the longevity of the other three players' careers is one of the biggest factors in their scoring success. Despite all having long careers, the oldest all four players finished an NHL season at the same age was at 36. Although Gretzky clearly outpaced the others during his 20s, it's striking how all four produced at a similar pace later in their careers.
Age 36 season
Player
Year
GP
G
A
P
Howe
1963-64
69
26
47
73
Gretzky
1996-97
82
25
72
97
Messier
1996-97
71
36
48
84
Jagr
2007-08
82
24
46
71
Howe may be most famous for playing at an advanced age, retiring at age 51, but that came after a nine-year absence from the NHL. He retired from the Detroit Red Wings in 1971, but signed in the WHA in 1973, and went on to rack up 508 points over six seasons while playing with sons Mark and Marty.
Most Goals After Turning 44 - NHL History Gordie Howe 15 Chris Chelios 5 Jaromir Jagr 4 Doug Harvey 1
It's hard to say how many more points a healthy Howe would've added in another nine seasons, but you can ask a similar question about Jagr. He missed prime-production years due to three separate lockouts during his career, and took a three-year stint in the KHL from 2008 to 2011.
Taking retirement seasons out of the equation, it's hard to equate the impact of the production lost by NHL games missed due to work stoppages and/or playing in rival leagues for all four legendary forwards.
Player
Potential Games Missed
Howe
478 (WHA -1973-79)
Jagr
396 (KHL - 2008-11; Lockouts - 1994/2004-05/2012)
Messier
114* (WHA - 1978-79; Lockout - 1994)
Gretzky
114 (WHA - 1978-79; Lockout - 1994)
* - Messier announced retirement following 2004-05 lockout, but was believed to be retiring after 2003-04 season.
But enough about the past, the question now becomes how high Jagr's totals can climb. The Czech Republic native has repeatedly stated he doesn't want to retire, and even if he's only half as productive next season, he would still likely catch Messier's mark of 1,887 points.
Projections based on points per game
Season
PPG
Proj. Pts
Career Total
2015-16
.787
62
1864
2016-17
.394
32
1896
With or without a sharp decline, becoming just the second player to reach the 1,900-point mark seems incredibly realistic for the winger, barring injury. If Howe could rack up multiple, 100-point seasons in the WHA in his late 40s, would a few more 50-point campaigns out of Jagr be that far-fetched?
Updates on Jonathan Drouin and Travis Hamonic, plus speculation on Ondrej Pavelec’s future with the Jets. SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reports the entry-level contract of suspended Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin won’t be tolled forward a season. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league “(hasn’t) previously had a practice of allowing clubs to toll […]
Another milestone for Jagr, Julien ties a Bruins franchise coaching record and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines. SUN-SENTINEL.COM: Jaromir Jagr’s first-period assist during the Florida Panthers 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche was his 1,850th career NHL point, tying him for third on the all-time list with the great Gordie Howe. Jagr is […]
If NHL games were 40 minutes long, the Vancouver Canucks would be one of the best teams in the league.
Vancouver blew a 2-0 lead Thursday night, and a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, losing their third straight game, a 3-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks have now lost 11 games when leading after two periods, according to The Province and Canucks Army's Jeff Paterson.
And Vancouver's home struggles continue in a big way:
#Canucks 2-8-1 in last 11 here at Rogers Arena. Visitors now 20-9-3 on the season (43 of 64 possible points)
Vancouver's 11 home wins are better than only the Toronto Maple Leafs' nine. Not good. And, once again, the Canucks couldn't muster much offense. They scored two or fewer for the third straight game, and have two goals or fewer in seven of their past nine games. It's bleak:
#Canucks have been held to 2 or fewer goals in 40 of 63 games
With 60 points in 63 games, the Canucks are only four points out of the Western Conference basement.
Meanwhile, goaltender Ryan Miller, obviously frustrated with a lack of support, was furious after the game because he believed Sharks forward Tomas Hertl's goal in the second period, which got San Jose on the board, was deflected with a high stick.
"That's 100 per cent a high-stick on their first goal, I just watched the replay. Big game for us and they call that a goal" - Miller
With the Minnesota Wild picking up two points Thursday in Toronto, the Canucks are now 10 points back in the wild-card race. It's possible, but becoming more unlikely by the day.
LONDON, Ont. - The London Knights scored twice in each period in a 6-1 rout of the rival Erie Otters on Thursday in Ontario Hockey League action.
Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Berisha scored in the first period — with Berisha's power-play goal th...
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Anze Kopitar and Tanner Pearson scored less than 3 minutes apart early in the first period and Dwight King scored on a breakaway in the third, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Th...
Everything was looking good, P.K. Subban had the puck at center ice. He inexplicably lost his footing - it happens - and saw Los Angeles Kings forward Dwight King poke the puck past him, through his legs.
King had a partial breakaway, Alex Galchenyuk racing off the bench to try and cut him off. King beautifully faked a slap shot, getting Canadiens goalie Ben Scrivens to his knees, and then went five-hole to score.
It was the game-winning goal. Of course. The Kings won 3-2.
Subban had a goal and an assist and played a game-high 28:48. But nobody will be talking about that.
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Kevin Bieksa leaned in to listen to teammate Cam Fowler's lengthy answer to reporters about the Anaheim Ducks' team record-tying 10th straight win and was unimpressed.
"What a boring answer!" Bieksa said, smirking.
Everyt...
WINNIPEG - An unfortunate bounce cost the Winnipeg Jets in more ways than one.
Kyle Okposo scored the winner 2:20 into overtime as the Jets lost 4-3 in overtime to the New York Islanders — their sixth straight loss at home and ninth in their ...