Eichel's goal reminds everyone he's still really good (Video)
Jack Eichel wants to remind everyone that while they're caught up in the Connor McDavid, Dylan Larkin and Artemi Panarin shows, he's still an incredibly talented rookie.
The Colorado Avalanche were made acutely aware of this fact just two minutes into game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog is unable to get a stick on the pass in the neutral zone, and the puck deflects off the boards directly to Eichel. As the forward skates back to the Sabres zone, Landeskog peels off to head to the bench for a change.
Without any hesitation, Eichel proceeds to skate down the ice and around two would-be Colorado defenders. Tyson Barrie prepares to block whatever shot Eichel is about to take, and the kid just unleashes a laser of a wrist shot through the legs of both Barrie and Semyon Varlamov.
The goal is No. 17 for Eichel on the season. He has 38 points at the time of publication, tied (for now) with Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin. Both men have an uphill battle if they want to catch Artemi Panarin at 52 points. Maybe Jack should be getting a little more Calder love than he's getting at the moment?
Just 2:40 later, Evander Kane scored to put the Sabres up 2-0.
Avalanche coach Patrick Roy decided he'd seen enough from Varlamov. The netminder was pulled after less than five minutes of play and allowing both goals on the only shots he faced.
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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.
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