Jagr Ties Esposito for 5th Place on All-Time Goals List

Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr had a historic second game with his new team, scoring the 717th goal of his career in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to tie Phil Esposito for fifth place on the NHL's all-time goals list, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Traded from the New Jersey Devils earlier in the week, Jagr has thus far helped the Panthers to a pair of victories as the team battles for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

After going scoreless in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, the 43-year-old winger had a goal and an assist Sunday night on his way to being named the game's first star.

In addition to sitting even with Esposito for fifth on the all-time goals list, Jagr ranks fifth in points (1,786) and seventh in assists (1,069).

A hockey nomad since his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the future Hall of Famer counts the Panthers as his eighth—and most surprising—NHL team.

It had been rumored for weeks that Jagr wanted a trade to a Stanley Cup contender, and while the Panthers are still in the mix for a playoff spot, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who considers them a legitimate threat to win the Cup.

Of course, a playoff berth could turn out to be the launching point for bigger things, as the Panthers finally boast a promising core of young players that could bring the end to a two-decade run of futility.

While his age might indicate otherwise, Jagr has hinted that he wants to play in the NHL for as long as possible, and he could prove to be a perfect veteran mentor for the Panthers' young roster, assuming the team tries to re-sign him after this season.

In addition to seeking out a Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992, Jagr has some extra incentive to keep playing, as he can still move further up the all-time lists for goals, assists and points.

First, he'll look to break the tie with Esposito during Tuesday's game against the downtrodden Toronto Maple Leafs.