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Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel’s return was the turning point of the season

By Zach Jezioro

Mar 10, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) and defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) celebrate a win over the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) and defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) celebrate a win over the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jack Eichel’s return to the KeyBank Center lit a fire under the Buffalo Sabres. So much that it marked the turning point of the season. 

There was no secret that Jack Eichel’s return to the KeyBank Center was going to be a must see if you were a Buffalo Sabres fan. Especially with how things ended with his time in Buffalo, everyone knew it was going to be mixed reactions amongst the fanbase. But for this Sabres team, it felt like it was a playoff game for them.

Everyone knew the arena would be more crowded for his return. However, it feels like this game was the turning point of the season for Buffalo.

How Jack Eichel’s return to the KeyBank Center marked a turning point for the Buffalo Sabres

Yes they would miss the postseason, but ever since that victory over Vegas, the Sabres looked like a completely different team. That night from watching them on TV, they were locked in.

Before March 10th when the Golden Knights came to town, Buffalo was competitive at times but they were very inconsistent. One night they would look really good no matter the result and then they would get blown out or struggle another night.

If you look at the schedule after the Vegas game, there were only two games where the Sabres got blown out (@Edmonton and @Tampa Bay). Minus those two games, Buffalo was in every game, even in the games they would lose. They showed heart and fight, and it stems back to the Vegas game.

It seems like Buffalo was ready for that night and as mentioned earlier, it seems like it lit a fire underneath them. With everything that went on, you know for sure they wanted to spoil the former captain’s return. They knew the crowd would be buzzing and with the game being on ESPN+, they wanted to put on a show and they did just that.

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So yes, it seems like that game was the turning point of the season. They were a completely different team that night and they didn’t look back as they would finish the season strong. With that being said, if the Sabres have a good season and make the postseason, they can look back at that night as the turning point for them.

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