NHL

Bruins’ Jagr finding new ways to learn

BOSTON — Jaromir Jagr was philosophizing, as is his wont.

“I’m 41 and learning something every day,” the Bruins’ No. 68 said following Saturday’s practice in advance of Sunday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Rangers. “The game is quicker than it ever was, and if I want to stay in the league I have to adjust.

“I can’t play the same as I did in 1990 in 2013. You could have the best car from 1990 but if you drive it today you would look stupid.”

One thing Jagr never has been is stupid — not as a young pup in Pittsburgh, not in Washington, not in his three-plus years in New York during which he was a transformative player in resurrecting the franchise, and not in the KHL, Philadelphia, Dallas or, now, Boston after being acquired from the Stars at the trade deadline.

“When I was younger I liked to drive cars and go fast,” he said, laughing. “Now I take a taxi. When I am in Czech, I have a driver.”

When that line was relayed to Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers goaltender said, “What, does he think he is 75 years old?”

RANGERS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Jagr hasn’t scored a goal in eight playoff games. He has three assists. He had two shots and five attempts in 23:11 on Thursday. He scored two goals in 11 regular-season games for the Bruins after recording 14 goals in 34 games for Dallas.

“I’ve played better, that’s for sure,” Jagr said. “Of course I would like to help the team more than I am now. I hope I can score more, but that’s the way it is, and it’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time.

“It’s so much about confidence. It doesn’t matter how many goals you scored before, when everything goes well, it’s going to go better, but when everything goes wrong, you could be 25 and it feels like you should quit.”

Jagr came to the Rangers from the Capitals midway through the 2003-04 season. He carried the club to the playoffs in 2005-06 with a franchise-record 54 goal, 123-point season. When he left for the KHL following the 2007-08 season, he left behind a huge void.

“It was just so inspiring to see him in the locker room,” Lundqvist, a rookie in 2005-06, told The Post. “I always respected him growing up, and to be on the same team with him when I came here was such a positive influence on me.

“I learned from the way he prepared for every game. I always enjoy watching people who are the best at what they do. He was just so focused. I could see the way he carried himself. And he carried the team.

“He had points almost every night. It was so much fun to be around him. He was so important for us,” The King said. “It’s almost like you took him for granted. I thought he was always going to be here. And then he was gone.

“When he left, it left a big hole. To replace a guy like him, it’s almost impossible. We brought in new guys, but it wasn’t the same. It took time. It was definitely a big loss when he left.”

Asked what he recalled about his New York experience, Jagr cited a handful of accomplishments.

“To score 50 goals in New York, that was special,” he said. “To be named captain, that was pretty special.

“And to make the playoffs all three years, that was kind of special because they had a lot of talented players before that and didn’t make it for [seven] years.

“Plus it was a good group of guys and a lot of fun. Plus we were good.”

Now Jagr goes forward. It’s in his DNA.

“You learn every day,” he said. “Once you stop learning, you’re kind of dead.

“Or have to quit.”