James Neal and William Karlsson wrote their names in the NHL record book!

They've been dynamite so far this season!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
James Neal and William Karlsson wrote their names in the NHL record book!
Keystone Press

Vegas Golden Knights forwards James Neal and William Karlsson wrote their names in the NHL record book last night, when Neal scored his 20th goal of the season! Neal joined Karlsson on a list of rapid pace expansion team scorers. Both reached the 20-goal mark in their team first 45 games (Karlsson has already scored 25 goals this season).

They joined Brian Bradley (32 goals with Tampa Bay in 1992-1993), Chris Kontos (22 goals with Tampa Bay in 1992-1993) and Scott Melanby (20 goals with Florida in 1993-1994) on this list. 

Drafted 53rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2011, Karlsson played 228 games in the NHL so far with the Ducks, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Golden Knights, scoring 43 goals and 46 assists for a total of 89 points. He added three points in five playoff games. The Golden Knights claimed him from the Blue Jackets in the expansion draft last summer. This season, the 25-year old forward scored 25 goals and 14 assists for a total of 39 points in 45 games played. 

Neal, 30, was drafted 33rd overall by the Dallas Stars in 2005. He played 677 games in the NHL so far with the Stars, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Nashville Predators and the Golden Knights, scoring 258 goals and 224 assists for a total of 482 points. He added 44 points in 80 playoff games. Vegas claimed him in the expansion draft from the Predators last summer. He has 20 goals and 11 assists for a total of 31 points in 45 games played this season. 

The goal scored by Neal last night gave him his 10th consecutive season of 20 or more goals, giving him a tie for the fourth longest streak of 20-goal seasons by a winger currently in the NHL.


The Golden Knights are currently first in the Pacific division with a record of 30-11-4. They won six of their last ten games, and will play against the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow.

Source: StatsCentre