Pittsburgh Penguins winger Phil Kessel is in the midst of a 15-game goal drought and said Monday that it's beginning to feel like his goal total may stick at 21 for the rest of the season.

"I don't know," Kessel told NHL.com. "It feels like I'm not going to score again this year. It happens, I guess. This year has been an interesting run the last month, I'll say. Hopefully it changes."

Kessel went the entire month of February without a goal and if he fails to find the back of the net Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, the drought will become the longest of his career.

The 31-year-old has been able to create offence, posting 10 assists in his past 15 games and is hoping that leads to more goals in the near future.

"At this point, I don't know," Kessel said. "I've had some chances. It just won't go in, right? It is what it is... [The second line has] got some good looks, some good chances. Soon, hopefully, they start falling."

A six-time 30-goal scorer, Kessel has put 19 shots on goal over his past five games and head coach Mike Sullivan believes he isn't far from lighting the lamp again.

"We have noticed it. It is significant," Sullivan said. "If he continues to shoot the puck, he'll score. That's how we feel. Not only is he shooting the puck, but he's getting quality chances. When players of that talent are shooting the puck and are getting quality looks, it's only a matter of time before the puck goes in the net."

Kessel remains optimistic he can make up for lost time once he finally gets one to snap the drought.

"One game, hopefully I just get three or something," he said. "Who knows? It happens like that. You need one, and then I go from there."