Phil Kessel's Ironman Streak Coming to an End?

Phil Kessel’s Ironman Streak Coming to an End?

One constant over the last 13 years in the NHL has been Phil Kessel playing every game for whatever team he was on. He has been the definition of an ironman, but it seems that could all be coming to an end soon.

Kessel’s streak began way back on November 3rd, 2009, when he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier this season, the veteran forward became the first player in NHL history to play in 1000 consecutive games and became the all-time ‘’Ironman”, with his streak currently standing at 1,016 games.

However, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Kessel’s Ironman streak could be nearing an end:

”Vegas is banged-up, so there’s not immediate danger of Phil Kessel coming out of the lineup, but his 8:33 in Monday’s 3-2 loss to Buffalo was 17th among the Golden Knights’ 18 skaters. He’s at 1,016 in a row — incredible no matter when or how it ends.”

While the streak is safe for now due to injuries, as Elliotte mentioned, Kessel’s game has not been up to par. Due to his lack of effectiveness, head coach Bruce Cassidy has significantly cut back Kessel’s ice time, as the veteran barely saw the ice in Vegas’ last game. In that matchup with the Buffalo Sabers, Kessel only appeared in a handful of shifts. Including just two in the second period, and the Sabres scored during both of them.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy discussed Kessel’s recent play:

‘’Phil hasn’t given us the same area of a 200-foot game that those other guys have.”

It wasn’t just the Buffalo game that Kessel struggled in, as, over his last 12 games, the Golden Knights have been outscored 13-3 with Kessel on the ice.

While Kessel was never known for his defense, as shown by his career minus-159 rating, he could make up for it by scoring 20-30 goals in a season which is no longer the case.

The 35-year-old Kessel has six goals and six assists in 34 games this season. He is also approaching another career milestone as he sits 32 points away from 1000 points in his NHL career.

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