Steven Stamkos scores 600th NHL goal to join prestigious list of snipers

Steven Stamkos joined an elite group of NHL snipers on New Year’s Eve in Sin City, burying his 600th career goal in the Nashville Predators’ 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 35-year-old forward from Markham scored on the power play at 15:37 of the first period, becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to reach the milestone. The goal, which came in his 1,203rd NHL regular-season game, left him one back of Finnish legend Jari Kurri for a share of 21st all-time.

Only two active NHLers have more goals than Stamkos: Record-holder Alex Ovechkin (912 and counting) and Sidney Crosby (646).

It was also Stamkos’s 1,215th career point, putting him one away from tying Jeremy Roenick for 48th on the all-time list in that category.

“A lot of relief, I think, and obviously a lot of gratitude to everybody that’s helped me get to this point,” Stamkos told reporter Lyndsay Rowley during the first intermission.

“Sometimes when you get close to a number it can linger around for a while, so to get it in a game where we needed a response was a big goal for our group.”

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The goal was the 18th of the season for Stamkos, who scored 27 times last season in his first go-around with the Predators after 16 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft scored 555 of his regular-season goals with the Lightning after two stellar junior seasons with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. Since moving to the Music City, he has 45 goals and 34 assists for 79 points in 112 games.

The win also moved the Predators (18-17-4) above .500 for the first time since Oct. 16 as well as one point back of the final Western Conference wild card playoff spot. They have won 12 of their last 17 games and three of the first four on their seven-game road trip.