Eichel scores twice to lead Sabres past Leafs

TORONTO- On a day that began with the Buffalo Sabres adding a player they hope will be a major piece of their future, a young star already on their roster provided more cause for optimism. The fact that it came against the team's biggest rival was icing on the cake.
Jack Eichel scored a pair of goals to bookend the scoring for the Sabres in 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Monday night. It was a fitting conclusion to a day that began with Casey Mittelstadt signing a three-year, entry-level contract.
All in all, it was a step in the right direction for the Sabres, who not only snapped Toronto's 13-game winning streak at home but also their own four-game losing streak.

"It's a big win," Eichel said. "They're the hottest team in the league at home right now. It's an emotional game, a rivalry for us. We took a pretty good licking on Saturday night in New York, so it's a really good response from the group.
"I think it goes to show that when we do things the right way and we compete for each other, make hard plays, I think you can have success"

Phil Housley challenged the team's leadership group to step up earlier this week. Eichel appeared to be up to the task right from the opening puck drop. He put the Sabres on the board just 3:23 into the contest, using his speed to take the puck from Auston Matthews in the corner and initiate a give-and-go with Zemgus Girgensons.

The goal was Eichel's first since returning from a high-ankle sprain on March 17. The wait for a second goal would be much shorter. After Casey Nelson scored to bring the Sabres back from a 2-1 deficit in the third period, it was a fantastic individual effort from Eichel that got them the lead with 10:23 remaining.
Eichel picked up the puck just over the blue line in the offensive zone and used his body to box out Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev as he cut toward the net. He was able to beat goalie Frederick Andersen between the legs off his backhand.
"I was trying to use my speed there," Eichel said. "I think I was a little surprised when I picked the puck up that I had a step on both D men. Good bounce, I guess, through his legs. I don't know if it surprised him, but I'll take it."

Eichel led all forwards with 21:08 of ice time and tallied a team-high six shot attempts.
"I thought Jack's game all night was terrific," Housley said. "I mean, from start to finish he really brought it tonight and it's great to see him step up like he did."
Ask Eichel who the best player in the game was, however, and he'll tell you it was Chad Johnson. The goalie was still in the shower when coach Andrew Allen called to tell him he would be getting the start in place of Linus Ullmark, who sustained an upper-body injury during the morning skate (Ullmark is day-to-day).
Johnson, a player who values his routine as much as any, missed the early bus to the arena and had to expedite his normal preparation. It didn't matter. Johnson set the tone with a breakaway stop on forward Andrea Johnsson in the game's early minutes and stayed strong during a 39-save performance.

"Chad, he's a pro," Housley said. "He comes to play, he works hard every day and he got an opportunity on short notice and did a terrific job tonight. I thought he was our best player by far."
Johnson was especially important in the second period, when the Sabres gave into bad habits and began feeding Toronto's transition with turnovers. The period ended with Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau scoring goals for the Maple Leafs, but the damage might have been greater if not for Buffalo's goalie.
The Sabres were able to correct their mistakes in the third period and tied the game on a shot from the point by Nelson.
"We had to, otherwise it could have went the other way," Nelson said. "That's one of the main things that we talked about when we came in here is we've got to cut down on turnovers and just play simple hockey, keep getting it behind them. I think we did that."
The next time the Sabres take the ice, for practice on Wednesday, Mittelstadt will likely be there with them. It will be a reason for optimism during the final six games of what's been a difficult season.
On this night, though, a win over Toronto was enough.
"It's good that the guys found a way to win this game tonight," Housley said. "Yeah, it's exciting. Casey's going to be a big part of this organization in the future. But I like the way our guys played tonight."

Up next

Mittelstadt is expected to make his NHL debut when the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Tickets are available here.
The final Sabres Style Girls Night Out will be held during the game, beginning with a pregame happy hour featuring Sabres alumni at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the event is $75 and includes a 300-level ticket to the game and participation in the Gold Carpet Experience during intermission.
Can't make it downtown? Coverage on MSG-B begins at 6:30 p.m., or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for 7.