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BOSTON -- For the past two days, the Boston Bruins insisted their late-season funk was in the rearview mirror. There would be no more blown leads in the third period and no more lackluster starts. The skilled and physical Bruins would return.

Well, the Bruins kept their promises as they overcame an early Toronto Maple Leafs power-play goal and scored the next four goals, dominating the Leafs 4-1 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

David Krejci had a goal and two assists, Wade Redden had a goal and an assist and Nathan Horton and Johnny Boychuk both lit the lamp for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask looked solid between the pipes, making 19 saves, with James van Riemsdyk’s power-play goal in the opening period the only shot that beat him.

For the Leafs, James Reimer was under siege all night as the Bruins poured 40 shots on him.

Lucic-Krejci-Horton line clicks again: One of the big question marks heading into this series was whether Milan Lucic, Krejci and Horton could find their magic again. If Game 1 is any indication, the band is back together and the magic is there. In addition to Krejci’s three-point performance and Horton lighting the lamp, Lucic had two helpers and continued to look more like the Lucic who used a combination of grit, size and skating to earn two straight seasons of 20-plus goals. The chemistry was back as Horton and Lucic got to open spaces to benefit from Krejci’s playmaking skills, and Krejci looked a lot like the player who was a candidate for the 2011 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Bruins defense provides offensive boost: Prior to Game 1, coach Claude Julien lauded Redden for his recent play and puck-moving skills. Redden continued to impress with his goal and an assist, but the Bruins' entire defense did a great job of moving the puck and creating offense in Game 1. In addition to Boychuk's goal, Bruins defensemen helped in peppering Reimer and controlling neutral zone play.

Power play looks better: While the Bruins’ power play (1-for-5) can certainly still be better, it did convert once and moved the puck a lot better. The passes were crisp, and there was less hesitation. If that continues, the scoring production will increase.

Suspension coming for Ference? Andrew Ference could very well be sitting out a game or more after elbowing Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski in the head in the first period. No penalty was called, but the replay clearly shows an elbow to the head.

Bruins have two goals called back: Things could have been even worse for the Leafs if not for two Bruins goals being called back. The referees and replay officials got it right in calling back a Tyler Seguin shot that clearly rang off the post 1:10 into the second period. But Patrice Bergeron’s no-goal was a bit questionable as the referees claimed the whistle was blown before Bergeron pushed it into the net. But even if the refs were wrong, the rule states if they intended to blow it and didn’t do it in time, then it’s still not a goal.

Bad blood boils at end: In addition to Ference’s questionable hit to the head of Grabovski, there was plenty of hard hitting throughout the game. As time wound down in the third period and it was clear the Bruins would win, the Leafs decided to let the Bruins know they were still there, taking plenty of extra hits after the whistle and then stirring things up at the final buzzer. The result was a Chris Kelly-Leo Komarov fight. It should be a physical Game 2.

Hamilton and Peverley sit: Not surprisingly, Julien kept Dougie Hamilton in the press box as a healthy scratch. The defenseman struggled in his last few games of the regular season, and Julien seems to have opted to take the learning-from-up-top route he took with Seguin as a rookie to start the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. While Rich Peverley might have had an off season, one would think Julien would prefer playoff and Cup experience in the lineup instead of an inexperienced Kaspars Daugavins. But it was Daugavins playing with Kelly and Jaromir Jagr for Game 1.

Here’s what the rest of the lineup looked like:

Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Defensemen
Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Redden-Adam McQuaid

Goalies
Rask
Anton Khudobin

BOSTON -- Bruins veteran forward Jaromir Jagr has been battling a serious case of the flu the last few days, and even though he’s feeling better and practiced with the team Tuesday morning at TD Garden, he was hoping for at least one more day of rest before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.

“I felt like s---, man,” Jagr said. “I was hoping we were going to play Thursday. That’s the strongest flu I ever had.”

Jagr first felt sick prior to the Bruins’ game at Philadelphia on April 23, but he played through it that game, and again the next game against Tampa Bay on April 25. Bruins coach Claude Julien decided to give him the final two games off of the regular season in order to rest and recuperate.

Jagr will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night at the Garden. This will be the 41-year-old’s 17th appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. When asked if he’ll play any different given his past experience, the two-time Cup winner said no.

“It’s a tough question,” he said. “I’ve never thought about it. I don’t see any differences in the way I play. The only difference I see is it’s more exciting from the fans’ side, from the media side and every mistake, or every good play will make more of a difference. You can be a bigger hero or you can be a bigger zero.”

Since he arrived in Boston at the April 3 trade deadline, Jagr played a total of 11 games for the Bruins. During that stretch the team finished 5-6-2, but the future Hall of Famer believes this team can be better.

“It’s all up to us, the way I see it,” Jagr said. “If we play the best hockey we can play, we can beat a lot of teams, maybe not everybody, but that’s why I’m saying it’s up to us. We didn’t do it, we didn’t play our best hockey the last 10 games. Something was always missing. We didn’t score goals or we made bad decisions. We never played a full 60-minute game at our best. That could be a good thing to know if you play your best hockey, you might have a very good chance to win.”

In 180 career playoff games, Jagr has 78 goals and 111 assists for 189 points and the Bruins could use that type of production against the Leafs.

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- The Boston Bruins held an hour-long practice Friday morning at Ristuccia Arena as the team prepares to face the Washington Capitals Saturday night at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Bruins veteran Jaromir Jagr will likely not travel with the team due to a minor flu bug he’s dealing with, according to Bruins coach Claude Julien.

“He may join us tomorrow, he may not, depending on the flu bug he’s fighting right now,” Julien said.

Also, Nathan Horton (upper-body injury) won’t travel. The rest of the players are expected to travel to Washington.

“Nathan’s doing fine,” Julien said. “He’s skating every day and he’s getting better. We’re being extra cautious but we’re going to make sure to get him ready for when the time comes.”

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- After providing the game-winning goal in the Bruins' debut Thursday night, Jaromir Jagr seemed a bit more comfortable during his first full practice Friday morning at Ristuccia Arena.

Jagr’s goal at 1:20 of the second period helped the Bruins to a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils. With Bruins assistant captain Patrice Bergeron out of the lineup indefinitely with a concussion, coach Claude Julien decided to insert Jagr on the team’s second line and switch Tyler Seguin to the middle, with Brad Marchand on the other wing.

Both Marchand and Seguin admitted after the game that it was a bit surreal playing alongside the future Hall of Famer, but during Friday’s practice the trio were connecting more.

“It’s going to take time, there’s no question about it,” Jagr said. “I have to learn the kids’ game and they have to learn mine. We have to feed off each other. I have some strengths and they have some strengths, but it’s going to take time. It’s not easy to come to a new team. If you come before the season, you’ve got three to four weeks of training camp. This is different.”

Jagr arrived in Boston after the Bruins lost out on Jarome Iginla, who was initially traded to Boston but used his no-movement clause and instead decided to play in Pittsburgh. That opened the door for Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli to acquire Jagr from the Dallas Stars.

“I was probably reading it, like everybody else, on the Internet and I saw the first highlight of Iginla going to Boston, so I didn’t follow it after that, but the next day I found out he didn’t,” Jagr said. “Sometimes that’s what happens. You can’t trust anybody in this business. You never know, I’ve learned that.”

BOSTON -- With the subtraction of Patrice Bergeron (concussion) from the Boston Bruins’ lineup, coach Claude Julien decided to keep Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand together, and add newly acquire winger Jaromir Jagr to that line.

With Bergeron out, Seguin will play center. The 21-year-old played mostly center during his junior career, but has played primarily right wing since his debut with the Bruins during the 2010-2011 season.

“We put him [Seguin] there because we think he can,” Julien said. “We’ll see. It’s a great opportunity for him. He’s played there most of his career and giving him that opportunity is something he deserves, so we’ll see how it goes. If not, coaches will do what they do and adjust.”

Seguin enters Thursday game against the New Jersey Devils with 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 35 games, while sporting a plus-22 rating. Now, he’ll have more responsibilities as the team’s second-line center, especially replacing a player like Bergeron, who is arguably the best two-way player in the NHL and the reigning Selke Award winner.

“It’s going to be a little different for him,” Julien said of Seguin. “He’s not on the wall right now, he’ll have to be low and support, and he’s going to have to cover a little bit more territory. That’s something we all know Bergy does extremely well, so [Seguin’s] got some big shoes to fill. We don’t expect him to fill them, but we expect him to go out there and do a decent job like everybody else. We have the confidence. He can skate and more responsibility means another chance to get better as a player and mature as a guy you can put in different situations.”

The Bruins’ top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton remains the same. The third line now consists of Jay Pandolfo, Rich Peverley and Kaspars Daugavins. The energy line of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton remains the same, too.

Once Bergeron is able to return (and the Bruins believe he will), Julien will have more line shuffling to do. But for now, he’ll try it this way.

“We’re going to look and see where the fit is best, and not just for Jaromir Jagr, but for everybody else,” Julien said. “It’s not just about him, it’s about fitting guys in areas where they can be good for us. We have to look at the overall picture before we make those final decisions. We’re hoping Bergy’s going to be back at some point and that way we’ll have a clearer picture.”

When Julien first learned of the addition of Jagr, he asked Chiarelli one simple question.

“I asked if it really was a done deal,” Julien said with a laugh, referring to the Jarome Iginla situation. “I wouldn’t believe it until it was publicized on TV. I think he’s a great, great addition. This is a guy who can certainly help our hockey club in many different ways. He’s a guy that can certainly make plays. He’s a big guy and he protects the puck so well. He’s strong on his stick, and the power play is another area that he can fit in. There’s so much I think he can bring, and with our club and the way we play, there’s no doubt he’ll blend in very well.”

BOSTON -- After participating in his first morning skate with the Boston Bruins, newly acquired forward Jaromir Jagr was all smiles in the locker room. When the local media surrounded his stall, he asked if he could sit down because “I’m too old,” he said with a laugh.

Jagr, of course, is 41. He made his NHL debut in 1990. Tyler Seguin was born in 1992.

The Bruins acquired the future Hall of Famer on Tuesday from the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Lane MacDermid, unsigned draft pick Cody Payne and a conditional 2013 draft pick. Coach Claude Julien told his players the veteran was not coming here to be the savior, but rather a complementary piece to what’s already a strong roster of players.

But with Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron suddenly out indefinitely with a moderate concussion, the acquisition comes at a perfect time. On Thursday, Julien quickly inserted Jagr on the line with Seguin as center and Brad Marchand.

Jagr said Thursday that he’s happy to fill whatever role is needed in Boston.

“I’m not 25 anymore,” Jagr said. “I don’t think this team really needs it [a savior]. They won the Cup two years ago, and when you look at their top guys they’re still here so they know they can do it. For me, I wish I can somehow help the team to produce better and play better.”

Jagr admitted he was shocked when he was told of the trade, and unlike Jarome Iginla a week ago, who chose Pittsburgh over Boston, Jagr had no choice where he would play.

“Well, obviously I didn’t,” he said. “I didn’t have a no-trade clause, so I guess wherever Dallas got the best opportunity they took it. But I’m happy about it. You don’t ask questions, you just go to play. Through my whole hockey career I would play hockey wherever because it was always good for me, so I have to knock on wood. I know [in Boston] it’s going to be good, maybe not at the start, but at the end it’s going to be great.”

Even at age 41, Jagr believes he can play at a top level, and would like to play for as long as he can.

“I don’t feel bad, but the game has changed so I change,” he said. “I’m not the guy who wants to score the most goals in the league, or score the most points in the league. Don’t get me wrong, I like to score, but there are more important things for me -- the whole picture, the team, and to win as a team. In that way, I’ve changed a lot.”

The Bruins’ roster is loaded with good, young talent, and Jagr believes he’s at the stage of his career where he can help younger players both on and off the ice. He served that role for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, and now he’ll have a chance to help in Boston.

"I kind of like it. I don’t mind it at all,” Jagr said. “I learned a lot of stuff through my hockey career. I’ve played for 23 professional, and I’ve played with so many great players and I’ve learned so much stuff. No matter how old you are, you can always learn. If somebody thinks he knows everything when he’s 25, he’s lying to himself or he’s dumb. You can always learn and I’m here to teach the guys and tell them what I had to go through, and make their hockey life easier.”

When Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli officially announced the transaction, he likened it to the deal that brought Mark Recchi to Boston during the 2008-2009 season. Recchi was 40 at the time and stayed another two seasons and helped the Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011. Recchi now serves as an advisor to the Stars’ hockey operations staff.

When asked if Recchi spoke with him about playing in Boston, Jagr said: “He didn’t say much, and I actually didn’t listen much because I was kind of shocked. They told me I got traded. I said, ‘OK’ and I had to start thinking how I was going to do it easiest for me and get here as quick as I can.”

For the majority of his career in the NHL, Jagr had a reputation as a player that could be a difficult teammate. That image has changed the last few years and he believes he’ll fit right in with his new teammates in Boston.

"I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” he said.

Jagr played with Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference in Pittsburgh, and he’s close with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. Also, Jagr was the boyhood hockey idol for David Krejci. So, it should be a good fit for the Bruins.

"Z, we’re neighbors. Czechs, Slovaks, we love each other. And I had to face him for the last 15 years, and every time I was on the ice, he was on the ice, so I’m very happy I’m on his side right now,” Jagr said.

After the Bruins lost to the Flyers in an historic collapse during the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals, Recchi thought about retiring. Instead, he returned for one more season and then retired as a three-time Stanley Cup champion following the 2011 season. Jagr could be more than a rental player for Boston, and Chiarelli admitted as much, but only time will tell. If he’s not playing in Boston, Jagr will be playing the game of hockey somewhere.

“I love to play for the love,” he said. “If I feel healthy and feel like I can play on a good level, I want to keep playing. I’m not going to say ‘I’m retiring’ because I love the game too much. If I’m not good for the NHL, I’ll go and play in the Czech league, but I still love the game. Like everybody else, if you love something, you just don’t want to let it go.”

BOSTON -- After Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire veteran forward Jaromir Jagr from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a pair of prospects and a draft pick, the GM spoke Tuesday with the future Hall of Famer and laid out the team's blueprint moving forward.

According to Chiarelli, Jagr was receptive to the role he would play in Boston in hopes of winning the organization's second Stanley Cup in a span of three years. The Bruins are not concerned with Jagr's age, 41, or that there's this notion his skills have deteriorated.

"He wants to win," Chiarelli said. "His game is still a strong power game. He was leading [Dallas] in scoring and you watch him play and you see a lot of what you used to see in him, so I'm confident Jaromir will accept any role he's given and he knows he's coming to a strong group and he'll help us out."

In the deal, the Bruins sent forward Lane MacDermid, unsigned prospect Cody Payne and a conditional second-round draft pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft in order to obtain Jagr's services. The Bruins receive a player with 1,380 career games played, 679 goals and 1,000 assists for 1,679 points. Also, his 195 career playoff goals ranks 18th all-time.

"His career speaks for itself," Chiarelli said. "He's a strong player, protects the puck well and consistent with our style, in the sense that there's a cycle element to his game. He's good on the half wall with a real good release shot. He's just a really good player. I know he's 41 but he's been one of their best players in Dallas, and last year he was one of Philly's best players and he gives us an element of offense."

The conditional second-round pick could become a first-round pick if the Bruins reach the Eastern Conference finals this season. That does not hinder Chiarelli from making another deal that could include this year's first-round pick, because if the conditional pick does vest this spring, then the next option would be a first-round pick in 2014.

Chiarelli learned late Monday night that Jagr would be available via the trade market, but the Bruins GM admitted there had already been some groundwork done. Jagr will join his new team on Wednesday and he'll wear his usual No. 68.

He has 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in 34 games this season with the Stars. That would put him fourth on the Bruins in scoring, behind Patrice Bergeron (31 points), Brad Marchand (28) and David Krejci (28).

Bruins coach Claude Julien could insert Jagr onto the team's third line along with Rich Peverley and Jordan Caron. Once Chris Kelly -- who's out with a broken left tibia -- returns, a possible line of Jagr, Kelly and Peverley could be a strong combination for the Bruins, with speed and playmaking ability.

"We'll have to see where he fits in," Chiarelli said. "Obviously, there's a need on the third line, but he's got a higher-line pedigree. What I said to Jaromir was, we pride ourselves on four strong lines and he's an important part, but not the [only] part to success. So he could be on the third line. There's been times when our fourth line has been our third line, and vice versa, so it depends on who's going. We'll try to even it out and he seemed very receptive to that."

One place Jagr should help is on the Bruins' power play. Boston is ranked 24th in the NHL in power-play percentage at 15.2 percent (14-for-92). Jagr has scored six power-play goals this season with the Stars.

"He's a strong half wall player on the power play and he can roll off the top of the circle and really fire the wrist shot and make plays, so that'll help us out on the power play," Chiarelli said.

In the past, Jagr had a reputation as not being a team-first guy. But in recent years that perception has changed.

"He's a terrific player who's won some Cups and has been a superstar player, but I liken it a little to, and I told Jaromir this too, the addition of Mark Recchi," Chiarelli said. "You don't have to be the guy, but you're an important piece and you band together with your teammates. You've got the experience. You've got a certain skill set, size that will benefit the rest of the group. You've got the experience and you want to win still. That was an important question and he was very receptive to that."

Recchi was 40 years old when the Bruins acquired him from Tampa during the 2008-2009 seasons. He spent another two seasons in Boston and retired after he helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011. Even though Jagr will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, Chiarelli wouldn't necessarily classify the veteran as a rental player.

"It's a little early to tell," Chiarelli said. "I probably would have given you the same answer for Recchi when we got him, [and] we extended him twice."

Less than a week after a possible deal for this year's star-studded trade chip Jarome Iginla imploded on the Bruins when the future Hall of Famer decided he wanted to instead play with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, Chiarelli turned his focus on Jagr.

"This market these days is difficult because the prices are so high, and you have to try to judge who else is in on the game," Chiarelli said. "You don't want to overspend, but you want to get the player, you want to get help, you want to bolster the team and you want to win."

Chiarelli would still like to add another defenseman before Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, but as of Tuesday afternoon the Bruins GM is happy with the team's latest addition.

"We got the player and we feel he will help us," Chiarelli said of Jagr.

What will Jaromir Jagr do for the Boston Bruins? ESPN.com's Scott Burnside and ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald debate the finer points.

BURNSIDE: Well, Joe, you and I chatted in this forum last week after Jarome Iginla made his last-second decision to eschew the Boston Bruins and orchestrate his trade from Calgary to the Pittsburgh Penguins. We talked at the time about how GM Peter Chiarelli would move on and continue to search for ways to ready his team for what he hopes will be a long playoff run. Tuesday he made a significant move by bringing in five-time scoring champ Jaromir Jagr from the Dallas Stars for a conditional second-round draft pick -- which becomes a first-round pick if the Bruins win two rounds this spring -- and two prospects, winger Cody Payne, who was the 145th overall pick in last June’s draft, and Lane MacDermid, also a winger and the 112th overall pick in 2009. Now, comparing Jagr to Iginla is a little like comparing pucks to tennis balls: They’re made of very different stuff. But what do you make of the Czech legend’s acquisition? I know he was much beloved in the Philadelphia locker room a year ago and there’s no question his absence has been a factor in the Flyers’ disappointing season. And he was a big hit with the Stars for the brief time he was there. How do you see him fitting in the B's?

McDONALD: Scotty, I have heard that Jagr's reputation behind closed doors has improved the past few years, but I'm still a little wary about how he'll fit into Boston's room at this point. After all, he's no Mark Recchi. Speaking of Rex, since he's currently working for the Dallas Stars, maybe he had some words of advice for the newest member of the Bruins in that aspect. Bruins forward David Krejci told me this morning that he admitted to having Jagr's poster on his wall as a young kid in the Czech Republic, calling him his "hockey idol," so maybe the veteran forward could make a seamless transition in Boston. On the ice, I can see Bruins coach Claude Julien putting Jagr on the third line along with Rich Peverley and Jordan Caron until Chris Kelly (broken left tibia) is ready to return. As far as Boston's power play, Jagr's presence will be a major help. The Bruins have scored a total of only 14 power-play goals this season, while Jagr recorded six on the PP for Dallas. The other thing here, Scotty, you have to give Chiarelli credit for quickly pulling the trigger on this deal after Iginla chose the other team that wears black and gold.

BURNSIDE: I agree that on first blush Jagr might not be your prototypical Bruin forward, but I thought the same when he signed with Philadelphia after leading the Penguins to the altar at the outset of the free-agency period in the summer of 2011. The one thing, having covered the Flyers in the first two rounds of the playoffs last spring, is that by then Jagr was broken down and not particularly effective. He had one assist in the Flyers’ five-game loss to New Jersey in the second round. Now, in a short season, that shouldn’t be as much an issue for either Jagr or the Bruins. You mentioned your thoughts on where he might fit in with the Bruins, and I think one of the benefits, as it might have been had Iginla become a Bruin, is that you can move him up and down the lineup. But Jagr is not Iginla nor Brenden Morrow in that he’s not going to give you those dirty minutes in the corner or kill penalties. So does this suggest to you that Chiarelli isn’t done yet? It doesn’t look like Ryane Clowe is on the Bruins’ radar right now, but is there someone out there who might fill that need for a forward with some more sand?

McDONALD: The other thing I'll say about Jagr, based on the lockout-shortened season, he will be motivated for his duration with the Bruins. I agree he could handle playing on any of Boston's top three lines, and it could be fun to watch him play with fellow Czech Krejci, but given Jagr's age, and not knowing how much he has remaining in the tank, let Peverley do the dirty work. And, no, I don't think Chiarelli is done. We all know he's in search of help on the back end, but adding a player such as Clowe is still in the mix. I'm still interested in a player such as the Islanders' Brad Boyes, too. With Jagr likely on the Bruins' top power-play unit, having Boyes on the second unit would be a big help, too. While I'm not completely sold on the addition of Jagr, I do see the Bruins being able to make a deep run in the playoffs, which means we'll be working together more very soon.

BURNSIDE: Hard to imagine the New York Islanders would trade Brad Boyes given how close they are to the postseason, and especially given that the two teams could actually meet in the first round. But I agree, Joe; I don’t think Chiarelli is done. But here’s the question I think many people will be pondering after the dust settles Wednesday afternoon: Have the Bruins or anyone in the East done enough to close the gap on the Penguins? If the Penguins get healthy by the postseason, can the Bruins stay close? And more to the point, does Jagr balance the spreadsheet with Iginla or no? One thing I’m looking forward to is that tilt in Boston on April 19. Save me a seat in the press box.

McDONALD: Oh, Scotty, that gap (at least in the Bruins' mind) closed when Iginla picked Pittsburgh over Boston. Sure, all the Bruins players said all the right things publicly, but you can be sure they've circled April 19 on their calendar for when they host the Penguins at the Garden. It's actually a toss-up as to who's hated more right now: Iginla in Boston or Jagr in Pittsburgh? While Jagr's addition is not the answer this season, his presence will help Boston and I just hope these teams meet in the playoffs because it would be a dramatic series. Bostonians would rather see you here, Scotty, than Mr. Jagr but it's going to be interesting.

Bruins president Cam Neely was on Boston sports radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub on Tuesday afternoon and was asked about his team’s acquisition of forward Jaromir Jagr.

* What did he see in Jagr?:

“Offensively, he’s put up numbers year after year after year. He’s still doing it. He’s a big body, he protects the puck extremely well, especially inserting him into our game. … He’ll help us on the power play, so all those things combine made it fairly easy for us to try to acquire him.”

* Where does he envision Jagr playing for the Bruins?:

“It’ll be interesting to see where it shakes out. I’m sure that he will be inserted in various lines just to see where the best fit might be. Right now, [Nathan] Horton’s got it going, [David] Krejci’s played fairly well, pretty consistent throughout the year. I would assume that he may start on a different line than [the top line], but you never know how things will shake out. We’ll have 13 games after tonight, and we’ll see what makes the best fit and gives us the best chance to get production from all three lines.”

BOSTON -- Jaromir Jagr might not be the answer for the Boston Bruins in 2013, but they’re hoping he’s at least part of it.

The Bruins fell victim to Jarome Iginla's no-movement clause last week when the forward decided he wanted to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins rather than Boston, so Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli turned his focus to another veteran forward and landed Jagr in a deal with the Dallas Stars. The Bruins sent Lane MacDermid, Cody Payne and a conditional second-round pick to Dallas. The draft pick could become a first-rounder depending on how far Boston goes in the playoffs.

The 41-year-old’s presence in Boston will be interesting.

Bruins coach Claude Julien could insert Jagr onto the team’s third line along with Rich Peverley and Jordan Caron right now. Once Chris Kelly -- currently out with a broken left tibia -- returns, a possible line of Jagr, Kelly and Peverley could be a strong combination for the Bruins, with speed and playmaking ability.

One place Jagr should help is on the Bruins’ power play. Boston is ranked 24th in the NHL in power-play percentage at 15.2 percent (14-for-92). Jagr has scored six power-play goals this season with the Stars. Don’t be surprised if he lands on Boston’s top power-play unit.

In the past, Jagr’s reputation as a teammate around the league hasn’t always been great. But some have said that’s changed since he played for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2011-12 season.

Adding a future Hall of Famer to the locker room could have a positive impact. Look how the Bruins fed off Mark Recchi during his stint in Boston, which ended with a Stanley Cup in 2011. Jagr should be motivated by the possibility of a deep run in the playoffs.

On the ice this season, Jagr has 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in 34 games. That would put him fourth on the Bruins in scoring, behind Patrice Bergeron (31 points), Brad Marchand (28) and David Krejci (28).

With the Bruins hosting the Ottawa Senators tonight at TD Garden, it’s too bad Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs doesn’t have his private jet on the ground at Love Field in Dallas. In 62 career games against the Senators, Jagr has 36 goals and 41 assists for 77 points.

Even with Jagr in tow, Chiarelli might not be done dealing. With a little more than 24 hours until Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, the Bruins could land a defenseman, too.

The Dallas Stars have dealt Jaromir Jagr to the Boston Bruins, but the transaction is still pending a trade call with the league, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday.

The Stars had been talking to Jagr's camp for three weeks about a possible extension but over the past few days had second thoughts with the team fading in the standings.

BOSTON -- David Krejci, like the rest of the Bruins, has been basking in the glory of winning the Stanley Cup.

Krejci plans on heading to his native Czech Republic this summer and bringing the Stanley Cup with him to celebrate with family and friends. Krejci also said on Sunday that he wouldn’t mind if a Czech hockey legend came back to Boston to join him and the Bruins in their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

On Sunday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that a “bunch of teams” -- including the Red Wings and Canadiens -- are expressing interest in luring Jaromir Jagr back to the NHL next season. Krejci said he would love to see his childhood idol sign with the Bruins in 2011-12.

“I would like it,” Krejci said of having the chance to be a teammate with Jagr again after playing with him for the Czech Republic in the 2010 Winter Olympics. “I know he is getting a little older but he’s such a big name and I love watching him play. So it would be nice if that happened.”