James Neal entered Monday with 23 goals - equal to his output from last season, his first with the Nashville Predators - and went on to build on that total in each period against the Edmonton Oilers.
After Jordan Eberle opened the scoring in the first period, Neal kicked off his night with a breakaway goal, after a beautiful feed from Anthony Bitetto to tie the game at one.
Great feed to the real deal James Neal, who makes no mistake on the break. #NSHvsEDMhttps://t.co/6J1tIp5tof
— NHL (@NHL) March 15, 2016
His would tie the game once again in the second, scoring on a wrister from the top of the circle to the left of Oilers goalie Laurent Broissoit.
James Neal's second goal of the evening... maybe you know what's coming up next. 👀 #Preds #NSHvsEDMhttps://t.co/0oeLfg6Gxe
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 15, 2016
He'd finish the trick with another wrister in the third, giving his team their first lead of the game, increasing his season goal total to 26.
🎩🎩🎩 #Preds #NSHvsEDMhttps://t.co/ruDXSmeO7R
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 15, 2016
The 28-year-old has scored at least 20 goals in all eight seasons he has played in the NHL.
| Year | Team | GP | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/09 | DAL | 77 | 24 |
| 09/10 | DAL | 78 | 27 |
| 10/11 | DAL/PIT | 79 | 22 |
| 11/12 | PIT | 80 | 40 |
| 12/13 | PIT | 40 | 21 |
| 13/14 | PIT | 59 | 27 |
| 14/15 | NSH | 67 | 23 |
| 15/16 | NSH | 70 | 26 |
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