Kessel ties NHL ironman record, Vegas tops Leafs 3-1

Phil Kessel matched the NHL record for consecutive games played, Chandler Stephenson scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Monday night.

Logan Thompson made 23 saves for the Golden Knights. Stephenson’s goal 42 seconds into the third gave Vegas a 2-1 lead and held up for his 15th career game-winner.

Nicolas Roy and Michael Amadio each scored their first of the season for the Golden Knights.

Kessel tied defenseman Keith Yandle’s ironman record by playing in his 989th straight game. The 17-year veteran is set to break the mark Tuesday at San Jose.

Yandle’s streak began in 2009 and ended in March last season. Kessel’s streak started in November 2009.

The Maple Leafs, playing their second game on a five-game trip, got a goal from William Nylander. Ilya Samsonov made 30 saves.

Shortly after what appeared to be Kessel’s 400th career goal got overturned, the Golden Knights forward picked up an assist when they took advantage of a power play to open the scoring.

After Samsonov stopped back-to-back shots by Kessel and Reilly Smith, Roy was on the doorstep to bat the puck in.

Nylander tied it midway through the second period when he took a pass from captain John Tavares, skated across the slot and beat Thompson with a snapper from the right side.

Amadio got his goal midway through the third when he ripped Nic Hague’s pass from the left boards past Samsonov on the far side.

Notes

Tavares exited with 13:02 left in the third when he took a slap shot from teammate Rasmus Sandin on the back of the knee.

Up next

Maple Leafs: Play at San Jose on Thursday.

Golden Knights: Play the second leg of a back-to-back at San Jose on Tuesday.