The Sabres return to action Tuesday against New Jersey.
By Chris Ryndak / Sabres.com
TAMPA, FL. — Jack Eichel certainly helped make the 2018 NHL All-Star Game a memorable one.
One highlight that will be replayed over and over is the celebration concocted by Eichel and Auston Matthews during the Atlantic Division’s semifinal game against the Metropolitan Division at Amalie Arena on Sunday. Matthews had had a goal disallowed on Monday in a Maple Leafs game against Colorado. So when he scored later in that game, he looked at the referee and signaled “goal” just as the official would.
Fast forward to Sunday night. Right before the faceoff following a disallowed goal by Erik Karlsson (a replay challenge deemed it offside), Matthews came up with a plan.
“He said, ‘Hey, if we score here, let’s both point at the net,'” Eichel, playing in his first All-Star Game, said. “…We were kind of just like, ‘Oh, we better score on this shift so we can do it.’ Luckily we did.”
Eichel recorded a goal and two assists in the semifinal game Sunday.
He also was one of the players to toss his helmet onto the ice for Nikita Kucherov’s hat trick goal in the semifinal game.
While Eichel and the Atlantic All-Stars lost in the championship game to the Pacific Division 5-2, Eichel looks at the big picture of the weekend being a great way to celebrate the game and have some fun.
“I think as soon as we got out there, started playing, it was fun. They did a great job – the city of Tampa – so hats off to them and the Lightning, everyone at the NHL,” he said. “It was done really right and I had a great time.
“…I don’t think anything surprised me. It was awesome. It was a lot of fun. Just being here with all these guys – some I know and some I don’t. The ones that I don’t, just being able to build relationships with a little bit and get to know.
“I thought that was one of the best parts. Obviously, we get caught up in our game, but this is a weekend to kind of relax a bit and take a step back, and realize where you are. You’re able to kind of admire all of these great players in our game.”
The Sabres will be back at practice on Monday before kicking off a five-game homestand against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
Eichel, Lehner receive Star of the Week honors
By Jourdon LaBarber / Sabres.com
Following a sweep of their three-game road trip in Western Canada, the Buffalo Sabres had two players recognized for their efforts on Monday afternoon. Jack Eichel and Robin Lehner were named the NHL’s Second and Third Stars of the Week for the week ending on Jan. 28.
Eichel led the NHL with five points (2+3) in three outings, including the overtime winner in Calgary on Monday. His four points in Buffalo’s 5-0 win over Edmonton on Tuesday matched a career-high, which he followed with a goal and two assists in his first career All-Star Game on Sunday.
Eichel has 25 points in 17 games dating back to his hat trick on Dec. 15, tied with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon for the NHL lead during that span.
Lehner posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time in his career with 33 saves in Edmonton on Tuesday and 30 in Vancouver on Thursday. He has three shutouts this season and six during his career with the Sabres, placing him eighth in franchise history.
Buffalo’s last back-to-back shutouts were logged by Ryan Miller on Feb. 29 and March 1, 2012. The Sabres’ current shutout streak of 173:30 is their longest since Miller and Martin Biron combined to set a franchise record of 226:24 from Jan. 16 to 25, 2003.
Vancouver rookie Brock Boeser, who received All-Star MVP honors on Sunday, was named First Star of the Week.
The Sabres begin a five-game homestand at KeyBank Center against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.