Phil Kessel is becoming an NHL steel man of all time

Phil Kessel will play his historic 990th consecutive NHL game in the regular season next night. AOP / USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow night, one of the most incredible records in NHL history is about to be broken. Vegas Golden Knights Phil Kessel hitting his streak of 990 Keith Yandle as the blade man of all time.

In 13 years, Kessel has survived without any major injuries, illnesses or standing orders. The 35-year-old striker may be tied for a record that will never be broken again.

The next closest threat to Kessel’s pipe is the defender of Carolina Hurrincanes Brent Burns, who currently has 684 consecutive games played. So he has more than 300 games to go to Kessel. In addition, he is two years older than Kessel.

Since Burns, no active player has even played 500 consecutive games.

– I don’t think anyone will ever surpass that record. No one is even close to him. It’s a tall order to complete 1,000 NHL games, let alone 1,000 consecutive NHL games, NHL Reporter Frank Seravalli analyze The Daily Faceoff on the website.

Former NHL guard Mike McKenna also considers Kessel’s future record unbroken.

– Today, players miss matches because of a broken nail or just as a backup. “I think this record will go down in the history books forever,” McKenna said.

Kessel’s demanding record is also measured by the fact that of his teammates by William Karlsson has the next most consecutive games. The Swedish striker has played a modest 66 games without an absence.

Kessel was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round of the draft in 2006. Already at the beginning of his career, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which he overcame. During the Corona period, he managed to avoid the virus, which spread like wildfire at times in the NHL.

The biggest challenge to keep the pipeline alive happened last season, when Kessel’s wife was about to give birth. NHL players usually want to keep their birthdays off, but Kessel played one shift on the ice and then flew home to Phoenix from the away game to support his wife.

The 35-year-old Kessel has been able to score points throughout his career at a good level, although there are signs of fading. Even last season, he scored more than 50 points in the abysmal Arizona Coyotes.