Golden Knights' Phil Kessel breaks NHL's Ironman record

Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Vegas Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel, who last missed a game in 2009, broke the NHL's Ironman record with his 990th consecutive appearance in a win over the San Jose Sharks.

Kessel's Golden Knights beat the Sharks 4-2 on Tuesday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The 17-year veteran tied former NHL defenseman Keith Yandle's mark of 989 consecutive games in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maples Leafs on Monday in Las Vegas.

Yandle set that mark in January and retired this off-season. He passed Doug Jarvis, who set the previous record of 965 consecutive appearances in 1987.

"It's a cool thing," Kessel told reporters Monday. "It means I've played a lot of games, right?"

Kessel also scored his 400th career goal in the first period of Tuesday's win. Defenseman Shea Theodore logged a goal and an assist. Center William Karlsson and right wing Mark Stone also scored for the Golden Knights.

Kessel, 35, started his career in 2006 with the Boston Bruins. He has logged 559 assists, in addition to his 400 goals, in 1,212 career appearances.

The Golden Knights (6-2-0) will host the Anaheim Ducks (1-4-1) at 6 p.m. EDT Friday in Las Vegas.