Chris Neil

Senators' Chris Neil gets Gordie Howe hat trick in 900th game

Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil posted a Gordie Howe hat trick in his 900th NHL game Thursday night.

What It Means:

The New Jersey Devils spoiled the fun by claiming a 5-4 shootout victory. Neil assisted a Zack Smith goal in the second period with the goal following in the third to put the Sens on top, 4-2. Neil completed the feat by fighting with Jordin Tootoo later in the third before the Devils scored a pair of goals to force overtime.

These were Neil's first two goals of the season. After a difficult season in which his Corsi For Percentage slipped to 45.5 in 2014-15, Neil has rebounded a bit to 48.7 percent through this year's first seven games. Our projections see him notching six more goals and five assists over the rest of the season.