Jack Eichel and Buffalo Sabres Powerplay Leads To Columbus Day Victory

The Buffalo Sabres have won their first game of the 2015-16 season, and it came against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Led by a defense that played very well, and a power play that lit up the scoreboard for 4 goals, the Sabres did everything that they needed to in order to walk away with a victory today. The eventual game winner came at the hand of Jack Eichel and his incredible effort to make it happen.

Related – Will Eichel Win The Calder Trophy?

Through the first period, the game was a steady showing of offensive and defensive pressure that felt like a stalemate. It wasn’t until the second period that the Buffalo Sabres eventually broke the deadlock with a power play goal from Rasmus Ristolainen. That goal was just one of three that would come on the power play tonight.

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Throughout the game, the Sabres had a number of power play opportunities, and for the first half of the game, it seemed to be a very disorganized group. For one of the power plays, the Sabres were actually pinned in their own end by the Blue Jackets defenders for about 45 seconds. The power play looked disorganized and disoriented overall and it was pretty painful to watch.

But then there was a sudden turnaround as soon as Ristolainen’s point shot made its way to the back of the net. Suddenly, the power play clicked and it was the eventual force that got the Sabres their goals tonight. The other goals that were scored on the power play tonight were by Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Moulson. O’Reilly’s goal was his first as a Buffalo Sabre and it was a beautiful short-side snipe. Moulson’s goal (which was the last goal scored) was off of a pass from O’Reilly (who was behind the net) as he tapped it in far side.

The power play was the story of this game for sure, that is until Jack Eichel decided to dazzle everyone in the building with his elite hockey skill. Eichel came in down the left wing and initially tried to make a pass to the slot, but it was blocked and nearly cleared, but Eichel got back to the line to keep it in. He turned around and went further down the left wing side and sniped a wrist shot far side on the Columbus goaltender.

It was an absolute beauty and was the eventual game winner for the Buffalo Sabres as the score was 4-2.

Despite the Sabres taking a few questionable calls and giving up two power play goals to the Blue Jackets on those penalties, they still came out on top (yes I am complaining about the referees calls on those because they were kind of weak). This game was a great sign of things to come, and was a premier display of what coach Dan Bylsma can come up with. He has plenty of talent to work with and he is using them very well so far.

This game was a huge step in the right direction for the Buffalo Sabres, and was yet another display of how Jack Eichel is going to be the superstar we all hoped he would be.

Next: Robin Lehner Injury Update

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