Brent Burns extends NHL games played streak to 911

Brent Burns, a defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes, is celebrating a significant milestone in his NHL career. He will reach a streak of 911 consecutive games played when the Hurricanes face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. This marks a remarkable achievement for Burns, who has not missed a game since November 2013 while playing for the Sharks. At 40 years old and in his 21st NHL season, Burns continues to show impressive durability. He is now set to surpass Sharks legend Patrick Marleau in the all-time consecutive games played list. Only four players in NHL history have played more consecutive games than Burns, with Keith Yandle holding the record for defensemen at 989 games. Despite the milestone, Burns is not keen on discussing it. His teammates, however, are in awe of his consistency and work ethic. Fellow defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere praised Burns for his relentless style of play and ability to perform well both offensively and defensively. Burns last missed a game on November 21, 2013, when he returned to score during a match against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This season, he has 23 points across 67 games, lower than his 61 points from last season, but he still averages over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour highlighted the preparation and commitment that fuel Burns’ success. He emphasized that it takes hard work, especially at an older age, to maintain such a high level of performance. Burns is on track to achieve another milestone, aiming for his 915th consecutive game on March 28 against the Montreal Canadiens, which would place him fourth on the all-time list. His dedication to staying fit and improving his game continues to impress those around him.