default-cbs-image

Connor McDavid’s return and Shayne Gostisbehere’s record-setting scoring streak have been hogging all of the attention from the other rookies over the last week or so, but Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel forcefully reminded everyone that he’s still worth paying attention to, as well.

The 19-year-old sniper had gone without a goal in each of his last six games, but he ended the drought rather emphatically against the Colorado Avalanche Sunday afternoon.

After taking the puck in the neutral zone off of an errant Avalanche pass, Eichel wheeled back into his own end and let the engines start churning after spotting some Colorado forwards going for a change. He darted through center ice, weaving through Avalanche players with relative ease before ending up in a one-on-one situation with Avs defenseman Tyson Barrie.

Eichel looked Barrie off selling the pass before whipping a perfect wrist shot through Barrie’s legs and past goaltender Semyon Varlamov as well.

The goal was Eichel’s 17th of the season and yet another one to add to his growing highlight reel from this season.

The way he sees the ice and some of the decisions he is able to make with the puck at such a young age foretell future success for this one. He and fellow Sabres rookie Sam Reinhart, who also scored his 17th of the season in the first period against the Avs certainly should be filling Sabres fans with optimism for what the future is going to look like.

Here’s another look at that incredible shot from Eichel to see just how tight a space he had to fit that through.

Eichel remains firmly planted in the Calder Trophy conversation, which seems to only get more crowded as the season progresses. He is now tied with Detroit Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin for second in rookie scoring with 38 points after that goal.

Jack Eichel did it all himself on this goal against the Avalanche. (MSG)
Jack Eichel did it all himself on this goal against the Avalanche. (MSG)