NHL scores 2016: Jaromir Jagr on the cusp of second place all-time in points

We’re fast approaching NHL history with Jaromir Jagr. Tuesday night, Jagr’s three-point evening tied him with Mark Messier for second all-time on the NHL’s points list. Now, we’re one point away from an active NHL player holding a record just below Wayne Gretzky.

Think about that. A current NHL player is actively chasing a record many believe to be untouchable. Sure that active player is 44-years-old, spent three years in the KHL, lost one and a half to lockouts, and is slowing down with each and every season. But, to see a player in today’s NHL climb that much closer to that seemingly insurmountable mountain is something to behold.

I once stated way back in March when Jagr jumped Gordie Howe at No. 3 all-time that he was unlikely to break Gretzky’s record of 2,857 points. At 970 points away, Jagr would have to stay in the NHL until his 50s to reach that marker. Not impossible, but highly, highly unlikely.

And that’s OK! Honestly, no one will ever reach that mark, or maybe even come close to it. Considering the NHL is in one of the biggest scoring declines of its history, it’s already a miracle the league’s best players reach a point-per-game pace by the end of the season.

For Jagr to even close that gap between Gretzky and Messier, especially in this age, by whatever margin he’s going to do so in whatever time he has left is something hockey fans should appreciate. We honestly may never see something like this again in our lifetimes. And what a feeling that is, folks.

Blue Jackets 3, Kings 2 (SO)
Islanders 4, Bruins 2
Predators 5, Devils 1
Penguins 7, Rangers 2
Canadiens 5, Ducks 1
Lightning 4, Red Wings 1
Panthers 4 (SO), Sabres 3
Wild 2, Avalanche 0
Senators 4, Blackhawks 3
Blues 3, Stars 2 (OT)
Canucks 4, Jets 1
Sharks 4, Flames 1

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1. Blue Jackets, Wild all maintained their streaks...

It took a shootout to do it, but Columbus has extended their win streak to 10 games now, tying the Flyers for the NHL’s longest this season. Cam Atkinson extended his career-high points streak to seven games with a pair of goals and a tally in the shootout. Backup Curtis McElhinney made 44 saves in the victory that marks a franchise record for the Blue Jackets.

The Wild also extended their win streak, which is now up to eight straight after besting the Avalanche, who had problems of their own on Tuesday. Devan Dubnyk added a fifth shutout to this season’s already impressive resume in the win as well.

2. But the Blackhawks did not

Chicago’s run ended at five straight wins with a 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Good news for the Blackhawks is that while they were streaking, the Wild weren’t gaining much ground. Bad news? If the Wild continue to win, they’ll make the six point gap between first and second in the Central up quite fast.

3. Andrew Cogliano also passed a milestone

Maybe just as impressive in some ways as Jagr, Ducks’ forward Andrew Cogliano played in his 738th straight game to pass Jay Bouwmeester for the fifth longest Iron Man streak in the NHL.

The 29-year-old has played in every regular season game in his NHL career over nine and one-third seasons. That’s something else.

4. Antti Raanta took a beating

Just a week ago, fans were discussing whether Antti Raanta was going to be the Rangers’ new savior in net. Well, after allowing seven goals to the Penguins on Tuesday fans may just have to table that for another day.

The game was basically over at puck drop, as the Penguins controlled the tempo all 60 minutes and never let up despite the mounting score.

The game could have been a lot worse, and Raanta was key in keeping it as close as it was for awhile with 40 saves on the night. But yeah, that might just quiet the dissenters for now.

5. The Predators are closing the gap

Nashville has strung together two consecutive wins for the first time since the end of November and they’ve now won just four games in the month of December. It was looking kind of grim for a team many believed to be a Stanley Cup contender, but things seem to be getting back on track. With a 5-1 victory over the sinking Devils and a penalty kill that can score, the Predators are now just on the outside looking in on the Wild Card.

David Perron picked up a Stars’ mistake in overtime to help the Blues to their fourth win in 10 games.