Jack Eichel nets 4 goals to pace Buffalo’s win over Ottawa.
By Chris Ryndak / Sabres.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Four goals for Buffalo. Four goals for Jack Eichel. That was the recipe for success Saturday night.
The Sabres captain carried his team to a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center in the first four-goal game of his career.
After the game, Eichel couldn’t remember the last time he’d lit the lamp four times on a single night. Not in his freshman season at Boston University and not at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, either.
“I don’t know, probably like youth hockey. I don’t honestly know,” he said. “I never had four at BU or the program, so probably back in my Jr. Bruins days. It’s been awhile.”
The last time a Sabres player scored four goals was back on April 10, 2010 against the Senators. Eichel became the seventh player in Sabres history to score at least four goals in a game. Rick Martin (four times), Dave Andreychuk (three times), Alexander Mogilny (twice), Lindy Ruff, Miroslav Satan, and Vanek are the other Sabres to accomplish the feat.
The big night came at a good time for the Sabres, who were able to snap an 0-4-2 stretch with the victory.
“There’s no question his hunger to make plays is larger often than his hunger is to shoot. It was really good to see him shooting today,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said. “We’ve been speaking about it a lot lately in he really wants to get a balance. He wants to have that threat, it’ll open up the guys for passes again.
“I’m sure this game will begin a good process in his mind to understand how lethal he can while still making plays as he also did tonight.”
Buffalo never trailed in the game, but the Senators also just wouldn’t go away. Eichel opened the scoring 1:28 into the second period on a shortside-shot goal Sabres fans have seen before.
Ottawa responded with a goal from Anthony Duclair at the 6:04 mark. Eichel was able to put Buffalo ahead again 9:39 into the period with a hard wrister, but once again, the Senators responded with a goal by Tyler Ennis on a deflection 2:01 into the third period.
Eichel gave the Sabres a lead they wouldn’t surrender with 7:47 remaining in the third for the hat trick.
“He’s a tough guy to contain, he’s got tremendous speed obviously,” Jeff Skinner, who recorded an assist, said. “He’s got unreal skill and when he’s coming down with speed, it’s pretty difficult for the opposition to stop, and tonight he got some big ones for us.
“…He’s got a great shot. He can score from pretty far out, which is a pretty nice little tool for him to have considering d-men have to respect his speed so they have to back off and give him a little bit of space. He played great tonight.”
Linus Ullmark, who made 21 saves to earn the victory, wore a special Hockey Fights Cancer mask that was auctioned off to benefit Roswell Park.
Asplund’s debut
With Johan Larsson out with an upper-body injury, Rasmus Asplund made his NHL debut against the Senators.
Asplund skated 12:13 and saw about a minute of that time on the penalty kill. He recorded two shots and two hits, one of those checks coming on his very first shift.
“I just tried to get in the game right away so I was just trying to keep it simple,” he said. “…I felt good. I played simple in the beginning and worked my way into the game, started to feel better and better and better. I’m happy with game.”
Asplund said the role he was asked to play was similar to what he’s used to in the AHL with Rochester. Krueger liked what he saw from the 21-year-old rookie.
“Outstanding, I mean, he was moving his feet all the time, both side of the puck, the penalty kill, he was creating offensive chances, he played without fear and showed a lot of courage,” Krueger said. “It’s what we saw in training camp.
“It was an exciting first game for anybody to come into the NHL and do what he did. To end it with a win, I’m sure he’ll never forget this night.”
Forward Kyle Okposo left the game with 10:35 remaining in the second period and did not return due to injury. Krueger said he’ll be re-evaluated in the morning.
The Sabres are also without forwards Marcus Johansson and Vladimir Sobotka. While Johansson and Sobotka won’t be ready to play in Buffalo’s next game on Sunday, Larsson is considered day-to-day.
They also have two healthy defensemen serving as healthy scratches in Colin Miller and John Gilmour.
Up next
The Sabres are headed to Chicago where they’ll face the Blackhawks on Sunday at United Center at 7 pm.