Jaromir Jagr still goalless in Boston’s postseason
The Boston Bruins will host game 2 of the Eastern Conference best of seven semifinal series today at TD Garden in Boston against the New York Rangers. The Bruins won game 1 in the series 3-2 in OT on Thursday night.
During the season, the Bruins traded for Jaromir Jagr the future Hall of Famer who has played countless playoff games.
However, heading into today’s game the veteran forward has been battling confidence problems, as he has not recorded a playoff goal in the eight postseason games the Bruins have played.
His goalless streak for the playoffs now dates back 17 dames to last season’s postseason. It is Jagr’s longest drought for the postseason in his entire career.
Following his team’s practice on Saturday in Boston, Jagr said it does not matter the number of goals a player has scored before, confidence comes with good scores, good passes and game changing plays. Jagr said he would work through the scoring drought, but admitted he would like to help his teammates more offensively.
Jagr has never had anyone question his work ethic. Last season while a Philadelphia Flyer, Jagr was given practice facility keys so he could work out any time he wanted. Philadelphia is not the only team he has done that with.
However, since his arrival in Boston, there has been a question about him fitting in after his acquisition via a trade with the Dallas Stars in early April.
Claude Julien has tried the forward with nearly every player in the Boston lineup, including Gregory Campbell the team’s fourth line center. Until now, Julien had trouble finding a line that the veteran fit into.
Julien believes that Jagr fits nicely with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Julien said the line would remain intact as long as Boston keeps winning and if both Marchand and Bergeron continue to produce the way they have of late.
Against Toronto in the decisive game 7 comeback on round 1, Bergeron scored in the final period to tie the game and in overtime to win it. On Thursday, in the opening game against the Rangers, Bergeron set up Marchand with the winning goal in overtime.
Jagr is 41 years old, but Julien says the grind of the playoffs has not tired his veteran and will continue playing him regularly until he feels the veteran needs a short break.
With Boston leading the series 1-0 and the second game being played on Sunday, Jagr is not giving up yet. He sees the possibility of another Stanley Cup and whether he scores goals or not is secondary to lifting the Cup.
