As the NHL regular season is quickly coming to an end, many teams are making one final push to try and jump into postseason play. While some struggle to get the final spot in their division, others are cementing themselves as true favorites to win the whole thing. The Boston Bruins are doing everything they can to establish they can win the whole thing. After acquiring future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr, they are becoming the top team to beat amongst a loaded Eastern Conference.
The Bruins made possibly the best offseason move when they won the race to sign Jagr. The veteran has two Stanley Cup rings and 1,680 career points. The Bruins will be his sixth stop in the NHL, after playing for Pittsburgh, Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and most recently, Dallas. Jagr has been in the league since 1990, playing almost 1,400 games and he might just be the final piece to getting Boston another Stanley Cup.
Jagr played the second line in his debut with the team and knocked in the lone goal of the evening as the Bruins shut out the New Jersey Devils 1-0. Jagr deflected a puck into the net off his skate, not a goal to remember but it got the job done. The fans gave Jagr a standing ovation from the fans who welcomed his presence in Boston.
So does Jagr make Boston the best in the NHL? They are currently fighting for position amongst the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh sits at the top with 56 total points, but they have lost two games in a row following the injury to captain Sidney Crosby. The loss of Crosby could mean a change at the top. The Bruins are on a three game win streak and are predicted to surge with Jagr. While the Penguins have the Atlanta Division title locked down, they are looking to build the team to make a deep post season run. They acquistion of Jarome Iginla will help ease the pain of Crosby being out.
The Bruins won the Stanley Cup just two seasons ago. Jagr said he is prepared to step into any role the team wants for him. It is likely that the Bruins and the Penguins could be the two teams left in the Eastern Conference race and Jagr and Iginla may make all the difference.
