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James Neal | Winger

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Age / DOB:  (25) / 9/3/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 210
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

The Penguins' James Neal is on fire at the moment.
In the Pens' last five periods of playoff hockey the talented winger has four goals and six points. Not that's production! May 25 - 11:18 AM

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Date:

James Neal notched a hat trick to help the Penguins advance to the Eastern Conference final with a 6-2 win over the Senators on Friday night.

Beyond the 4-1 series win, the best sign for the Penguins is that their sniper has found his mark of late, recording five of his six playoff goals over the past two games. Neal also added an assist as the Penguins proved to be too talented and far too deep for the Senators to contend with. After missing Game 4 because of an undisclosed injury, Brenden Morrow returned and scored the game's first goal early in the first period. Kris Letang potted a goal and had two assists, while Evgeni Malkin got a marker and a helper. Rest might be the only thing that could slow this team down as the dangerous Penguins have now scored 13 goals over their last two tilts.
May 24 - 10:27 PM

James Neal scored two goals and registered an assist in Pittsburgh's 7-3 win Wednesday night.

Neal bounced back after recording just three points in his last seven postseason contests. Jarome Iginla netted his third and fourth goals of the playoffs. Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis each had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh. Chris Kunitz scored a goal, giving him four points in his last four games. Kris Letang registered four assists for the Penguins.
May 22 - 10:15 PM

James Neal has gone five straight playoff games without a goal, but linemate Evgeni Malkin is expecting "something big, soon" from the talented winger.

Neal has one goal and two assists in seven games during the 2013 postseason. "He's had about six scoring chances from the same spot that almost look identical to each other," coach Dan Bylsma said. "Being in the area, having a good look at the net — pretty much in every game, he's had those chances to do that. It's hasn't gone in for him. Those are good looks there. He just needs one of those to go in." He will be looking to cash in on his opportunities in Game 4 on Wednesday night.
May 22 - 11:47 AM

James Neal played a physical game in Pittsburgh's semifinal opener against Ottawa Tuesday night.

He was credited with four hits and picked up six minutes in penalties in the Penguins' Game 1 victory. Neal also added an assist on Evgeni Malkin's game winner. He has two points in five playoff appearances and should produce more if he can stay healthy in Round 2.
May 16 - 11:35 AM

James Neal scored his first goal of the playoffs in Tuesday's Game 4 loss to the Islanders.

He hadn't played since Game 1 due to a lower-body injury. Neal skated for 16:19 of ice time alongside Evgeni Malkin and Jarome Iginla in the contest.
May 8 - 10:07 AM

James Neal will be back in Pittsburgh's lineup Tuesday night for Game 4.

He has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury. Neal will be looking to record his first point of the series against the Islanders.
May 7 - 7:05 PM

James Neal (lower body) and Brooks Orpik (lower body) both took part in pregame warmups and appear likely to return for Tuesday's Game 4 against the New York Islanders.

Both players practiced Monday and Tuesday but wouldn't commit to returning tonight. Neal has missed the last two games while Orpik hasn't played since April 23. Neal is expected to skate on Evgeni Malkin's wing and Orpik should play with Paul Martin to start.
May 7 - 6:50 PM

James Neal (lower body) and Brooks Orpik (lower body) practiced Tuesday but neither would commit to playing in Game 4.

Neal missed Games 2 and 3 while Orpik hasn't played since April 23. With the Islanders giving the Penguins a much tougher test than expected, Pittsburgh could definitely use both players back in the lineup Tuesday night. Of course, thanks to Dan Bylsma's policy we're unlikely to know anything definitive until minutes before the drop of the puck. Stay tuned.
May 7 - 12:59 PM

James Neal (lower body) participated in Monday's optional skate.

He has missed Pittsburgh's last two playoff games with a lower-body injury. Neal should be considered questionable to return Tuesday for Game 4 at this time.
May 6 - 5:18 PM

James Neal (lower body) was only on the ice with his Penguins' teammates for a few minutes on Saturday.

Neal also skated prior to the team's practice. Pittsburgh won't update Neal's status, so consider him questionable for Game 3.
May 4 - 2:55 PM

James Neal (lower body) skated prior to the Penguins' practice on Saturday.

Neal missed Game 2 due to the ailment. Injury updates are scarce in the playoffs, so it's not clear if he's even a possibility for Game 3 on Sunday.
May 4 - 2:03 PM

James Neal (lower body) wasn't on the ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins' pregame warmups.

Barring a surprise, Neal won't play in Game 2 of the Penguins' series against the New York Islanders. He sustained the ailment in the second period of Wednesday's game.
May 3 - 6:41 PM

James Neal (lower body) did not practice on Thursday.

He left Wednesday night's postseason opener in the second period with what is believed to be a lower-body injury, possibly to his ankle. His status for Game 2 is uncertain at this time.
May 2 - 1:15 PM

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma had no update on James Neal's (undisclosed) status after the Penguins' 5-0 win against the Islanders.

Neal took a big hit during a Penguins power play in the second period, then was seen limping and took one more shift after Kris Letang's power-play goal at 1:19 of the second frame. "I don't have one, and I'm not going to give you one," Bylsma said after the game. Neal played 8:09 and had a shot on goal in the win.
Source: NHL.com
May 1 - 10:59 PM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Sidney Crosby
2Evgeni Malkin
3Jussi Jokinen
4Brandon Sutter
5Dustin Jeffrey
6Joe Vitale
LW1Chris Kunitz
2Brenden Morrow
3Matt Cooke
4Tanner Glass
RW1James Neal
2Jarome Iginla
3Pascal Dupuis
4Beau Bennett
5Tyler Kennedy
6Craig Adams
D1Kris Letang
2Paul Martin
3Matt Niskanen
4Brooks Orpik
5Deryk Engelland
6Doug Murray
7Simon Despres
8Robert Bortuzzo
G1Marc-Andre Fleury
2Tomas Vokoun
3Eric Hartzell