NEW YORK _ Jaromir Jagr hates losing almost as much as he loves hockey, so reporters approach the future first-ballot Hall of Fame right wing after losses as if they're circling a grumpy Grizzly.
Even after most victories, the usually affable Jagr would rather discuss missed opportunities than one of his historic 763 goals, which is third most all time.
However, following Saturday's dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden in which Jagr notched two pretty assists to surpass the legendary Gordie Howe to become the highest-scoring player (269 points) after turning 40 in NHL history, he was all smiles.
"I'm going to pass him for most points after 50. That's what I'm looking for," cracked Jagr, who turned 45 on Feb. 15 and is the oldest active player in the NHL. "It's a big honor, no question about it. It's no accident they call him Mr. Hockey."
Howe was 51 when he scored 15 goals and 41 points in his final season in the NHL for Hartford in 1980. While his numbers are down from his team-leading 66 points last season with 14 goals and 39 points this season, Jagr has played in all 70 games and said earlier this season he wants to play until 55.
Jagr and his young linemates, Jonathan Huberdeau, 23, and Aleksander Barkov, 21, were clearly the dominant line Friday, combining for two goals, five points and a plus-6 ice rating.
"That's what our line has to do," Jagr said. "Barky, I probably trust him more than I trust myself. And I trust myself a lot."
Jagr's play and joy has picked up since he got his linemates back from injuries on Feb. 3. He has five goals and 10 points in the 19 games; Barkov has 10 goals and 19 points; and Huberdeau has six goals and 16 points.
"We hit the holes. That's like hockey 1990," Jagr said of a tape-to-tape highlight-reel goal by Barkov that gave the Panthers a short-lived 3-2 lead in the third period.
"That's a huge game. So was (Thursday). We made two mistakes and we lost the game (2-1 to Columbus). We're making too many mistakes in bad times. We have to learn to play to win, just go and play hockey. We've got 12 to go; we probably have to win 11."
The Panthers were five points behind Toronto for the final wild-card berth in the eastern conference, but the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night. Florida was also four points behind the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning.
After a day off Saturday, Jagr returns to Pittsburgh where he began his NHL career at 18 in 1990-91. He will become the fourth player in NHL history to play 1,700 games.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Penguins, led by superstar center Sidney Crosby, own the best home record in the league at 28-4-3.
"Who would have thought, the night we played the Rangers at home, they smoked us, who thought we would come here and win?" Jagr said. "Nobody gave us a chance. That's probably going to be the same thing (Sunday in Pittsburgh). Not many people are going to believe we can win, but you never know. You start at 0-0."
