Vegas right winger Phil Kessel became the NHL’s all-time ironman when he started the Golden Knights’ road game against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, and he celebrated the achievement by scoring his 400th career goal.
Kessel appeared in his 990th consecutive game, surpassing the mark set by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle last season.
At 15:51 of in the first period, Kessel scored the opening goal against the Sharks, his first tally of the season.
Kessel, 35, started his streak on Nov. 3, 2009, while playing for Toronto in the 13th game of the Maple Leafs’ season. He was out for the first 12 games of the campaign after having shoulder surgery in the offseason.
The streak has covered time Kessel has spent with the Maple Leafs (2009-10 to 2014-15), the Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-16 to 2018-19), the Arizona Coyotes (2019-20 to 2021-22) and the Golden Knights (2022-23).
Kessel opened his NHL career with the Boston Bruins (2006-07 to 2008-09). He helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.
Yandle became the record-holder when he appeared in his 965th consecutive game on Jan. 25, passing the record that had been held by Doug Jarvis. Yandle started his streak in March 2009, and his run concluded when he was scratched from a game on April 2. He retired after last season.
Jarvis’ streak ran from 1975-87.
With his assist in Vegas’ 3-1 win over Toronto on Monday, Kessel had 559 assists in 1,211 career NHL games entering play Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
