James Neal

James Neal set an Oilers franchise record, with six goals in his first three games.

Fantasy Impact: James Neal has to be loving life in Edmonton right now, he has six goals in just three games in 2019-20, after recording only seven goals in 63 games in 2018-19. Obviously Neal won't keep up this pace, but he's definitely poised for a massive improvement over last season. James Neal is seeing time on the top power-play unit, and had the second most TOI among Oilers forwards on Tuesday with 20:59. James Neal should be in fantasy lineups until he slows down.

Category: Game Recaps

The conditional 2020 third-round pick in the James Neal-for-Milan Lucic trade is dependant on the number of goals scored by each player. (Source: Mark Spector on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Oilers will send the Flames a third-round pick in 2020 if James Neal scores a minimum of 21 goals, and he bests Milan Lucic by at least 10 goals. Excluding last year, James Neal has had no trouble hitting the 21-goal mark in any season. Considering the Oilers lack-of-depth on the wing, there is a good chance that Neal will end up in a top-six role in Edmonton. Lining up with any of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or perhaps most likely Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, should give James Neal every opportunity to hit the 21-goal mark next season.

Category: , Transactions

Calgary Flames forward James Neal has been traded to the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for Milan Lucic. (Source: Ryan Rishaug on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Both teams were in bad contract situations with their respective players prior to the trade occurring. Neal will look to return to form as he now joins a young and hungry Oilers squad looking to return to the playoffs in 2019. His veteran presence on offense will certainly be a big boost for Edmonton this year.

Category: , Transactions

James Neal picked up an assist on a second period powerplay goal by Derek Ryan. The assist was Neal's third assist of the year to go along with 3 goals in 27 games played.

Fantasy Impact: Neal's lack of production this season can be largely attributed to a lack of ice time - averaging just over 15 minutes per game. Neal seems to have found himself stuck on the third line due to the early season success of the Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm trio. Keep an eye on the situation going forward in case he moves up the line up, but for now he is not a usable fantasy asset.

James Neal scored a goal during the Golden Knight's 4-3 shootout loss to Toronto. He had seven shots and two hits in 17:51 minutes of ice time.

Fantasy Impact: The goal was his first in five games and he now has eight goals and four assists with a plus-one rating in 12 games played.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal had two assists during Vegas' 5-4 overtime win versus Buffalo. He also was a plus-two in 19:29 minutes of ice time.

Fantasy Impact: The magical season for James Neal continues and he now has six goals and two assists in six games played. He also has 18 shots on goal and three game-winning goals this season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored a power-play-goal and earned two penalty minutes during Friday's 2-1 defeat to the Saint Louis Blues in game-five.

Fantasy Impact: Neal scored the power-play-goal during a 5-on-3 at the 13:50 mark of the second period to bring the game even at one goal a piece. Ryan Johansen exercised great patience as he pried for an opening in the side slot waiting for the Blues penalty-kill-unit to bite. The Blues didn't take the bait and remained patient, forcing Johansen to pass back to P.K. Subban at the point. Subban then made a beautiful pass, cutting the Blues defense, and finding Neal on the opposite side of the slot from Johansen. Neal then quickly top-shelfed Jake Allen, who expected Neal to go low. The 29-year-old right wing played a series-high 28 shits Friday night, and could see similar time-on-ice as he has scored goals consecutively in games four and five.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored the game-winning-goal at the 13:03 mark of the third period during Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Saint Louis Blues.

Fantasy Impact: Neal has been relatively quiet this post-season with just two points including tonight's goal; however, each of those points were crucial goals. Neal's goal tonight was pure effort as he out-hustled the Blues' defense in their own end. Once Neal gained possession, he quickly squared up with goalie Jake Allen and launched an unassisted top-shelf goal that would win the game for the Predators. Nashville heads to Saint Louis for game-five Friday night with the ability to end the series.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal earned two assists during Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Fantasy Impact: Neal's second assist of the evening was all effort as he fought with Sergei Bobrovsky in the crease. Neal was ultimately able to pry the puck loose, and Calle Jarnkrok tapped it home at the 15:40 mark of the second period. Neal now has five assists in his last three games, along with 29 points through 49 games on the season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal was credited with an assist and earned two penalty minutes during Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Fantasy Impact: Neal was able to get the puck to P.K. Subban at the point after the face-off. Subban in turn rifled a goal, earning Neal the assist at the 10:25 mark of the third period. Neal has only been on the scoresheet twice since the All-Star break, but with Saturday's performance he now has consecutive games with points. He now has 27 points through 48 games this season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal earned two assists and two penalty minutes during Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Fantasy Impact: Neal earned both of his helpers during the first five minutes of the third period. Neal has failed to score a point over his last seven games, but he ended that during Nashville's impressive rally Sunday. He currently has 26 points through 47 games-played this season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored a goal and was credited with an assist during Tuesday night's 5-4 overtime defeat to the Buffalo Sabres.

Fantasy Impact: Neal was the fourth attacker into the offensive zone as Calle Jarnkrok was patient enough to hold onto the puck and feed Neal as he rushed his way into the slot. The rest was history as Neal shot the puck straight past Robin Lehner. Neal's goal would put the Predators up 4-2 with less than ten minutes remaining in the third period, but the Sabres rallied swiftly to tie the game and come out victorious in overtime. Neal has missed some time on the ice, but has been reliable enough while healthy with 24 points through 39 games this season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored one goal during the Predators 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

Fantasy Impact: Neal's goal came early in the second period and was much needed as the Predators found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 contest. After Neal's goal Nashville would go on to score three more unanswered goals and leave with a victory. He is slightly below pace to match the 58 points he posted last season with 22 points through 38 games this season.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal posted a pair of goals in Tuesday's win over the Devils. He finished with a +2 rating and five shots on goal.

Fantasy Impact: Neal has returned from injury nicely, though it might not quite meet the expectations of owners to this point. He has 20 points in 28 games, including four points in his last five.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal was kept in check versus the Stars but was able to launch seven shots on net and two hits on 19:42 of ice time and 2:03 on the power play.

Fantasy Impact: Neal was busy in this one despite not finding the back of the net as his chances were plentiful in a low scoring affair with Dallas. Neal is a reliable producer and will look to hit the score sheet Friday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal had one assist, two hits and four shots on net while skating 21:49 of ice time and 0:43 on the power play.

Fantasy Impact: Neal has started the season strong and found the score sheet Saturday against the Blackhawks. Neal remains a consistent second line producer.

Category: , Game Recaps

Neal scored a goal on eight shots with a rating of +3.

Fantasy Impact: He has three points in the last two games after scoring 58 points in the regular season so he has the talent to help you in DFS, just beware that Martin Jones has been one of the best goalies in the post-season so far.

Category: , Game Recaps

Neal scored a goal to open the scoring in this game and get the Predators off to a lead. He took three shots with a rating of +1.

Fantasy Impact: He is a fantasy asset who had scored 58 points in the regular season so he is capable of making a run, though there may be better situations happening in other series of this round.

Category: , Game Recaps

Neal scored a goal on four shots and an assist with a rating of +2.

Fantasy Impact: He had 58 points this season before producing the three points he has had in this series. He is a player to keep an eye on if Nashville advances to the next round.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored a goal and added an assist in the Predators win over the Stars. He finished with six shots on goal and a plus-one rating.

Fantasy Impact: Neal now has 39 points in 64 games. He's been consistent through the season, and he continues to see regular shots on goal.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal provided three points, two goals and an assist, in the team's win over the Lightning. He finished the game with a plus-three rating.

Fantasy Impact: After a slow start, Neal has multiple points in three straight games. This is what owners expected entering the season, and they're hoping Neal can continue his hot streak.

Category: , Game Recaps

James Neal scored 23 goals and 14 assists in 67 games his first year in Nashville. He also dealt with injuries holding him back from reaching totals he has produced before in his career. The Predators expect him to reach those numbers this season as long as he remains healthy, and the young talent around him takes the next step in their development. (Source: NHL)

Fantasy Impact: Neal's first season with the Preds was filled with ups and downs. He seemed to be a streaky scorer for the much improved team. If he can be more consistent this season then he should get most of his playing time on the first line with Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg. That would be a potent line should each player be hitting on all cylinders.