LAS VEGAS (AP) — Phil Kessel tied the NHL record for games played in a row, Chandler Stephenson scored the game-winning goal early in the third period, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Monday.

For the Golden Knights, Logan Thompson made 23 saves. Stephenson’s goal 42 seconds into the third period gave Vegas a 2-1 lead, and it proved to be his 15th career game-winner — and his second in three games.

Nicolas Roy and Michael Amadio each scored their first of the season for the Golden Knights.

Kessel Ties NHL Ironman Record

Kessel tied defenseman Keith Yandle’s ironman record by playing in his 989th straight game. The 17-year veteran is set to break the mark Tuesday at San Jose.

Yandle’s streak began in 2009 and ended last season in March. Kessel’s streak began in November 2009.

“There’s some luck involved,” Kessel admitted, “but I always want to play.” “You can miss games throughout your career, but I’ve been fortunate so far.”

Thompson was looking for redemption after Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Colorado.

“It was pretty obvious that I wasn’t happy with my performance, so you know, just forgot about it the next day and got back to work at practice and just needed to be ready to go tonight,” he said. “I felt good all night. The guys at the back end and the forward group made my job real easy.”

William Nylander scored for the Maple Leafs in their second game of a five-game road trip. Ilya Samsonov came up with 30 saves.

“We just got beat by a team tonight that was better than us in every way,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Shortly after what appeared to be Kessel’s 400th career goal got overturned, the Golden Knights forward picked up an assist when Vegas took advantage of a power play to open the scoring.

Samsonov had stopped consecutive shots from Kessel and Reilly Smith when Roy was poised to bat the puck in.

“I didn’t even realize. I had no idea. “I thought I scored,” Kessel said of his disallowed goal. “But you know what I mean. It is what it is.” We scored immediately after.”

After receiving a pass from team captain John Tavares, Nylander skated across the slot and beat Thompson with a snapshot from the right side to tie the score halfway through the second period.

Amadio got his goal midway through the third when he ripped Nic Hague’s pass from the left boards past Samsonov on the far side, Sportsnet reported.

With 2:43 remaining in the third, Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb was called for high-sticking, giving Toronto a chance to close the gap. However, Thompson performed admirably in the face of rapid-fire fire, blocking three of the game’s final four shots, including one on the penalty kill.

“I thought the entire team was rock solid tonight.” “We completely shut down their big guns, and they have a lot of them,” Thompson explained. “The D-corps and the forward group deserve credit.” They were fantastic.”