Jack Eichel is no Silver Medal

By Marc Deschamps

credit: Sporting News

On Tuesday, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel had their first encounter on the ice since the pair were drafted into the NHL. For some, the contest seemed like an opportunity for Buffalo and Eichel to prove they were the real winners of the draft lottery.

That hope seemed to slip away very early on. McDavid recorded his 11th goal of the season just 22 seconds into the game. That remained the only tally in the game until Cal O'Reilly tied the game with 10:54 remaining in the third period. Another goal by McDavid would end the game in overtime.
Tuesday's loss shouldn't have been a big deal. After all, the Sabres received a point in the game, and their fans have become all too familiar with losses over the last few seasons. Tuesday night’s conclusion seemed different, however. Pundits and fans had pumped up the importance of the game. This was supposed to be a continuation of a rivalry that began when the pair were just prospects. Fans seemed deflated. Some questioned whether or not Eichel was the future superstar they had hoped he would be.

The extent of the actual rivalry beyond what the fans perceive remains difficult to pin down. Prior to the start of the game, both Eichel and McDavid assured fans it was just another game. Whether or not the pair see each other as rivals is irrelevant: in the long run, this really was just another game in the careers of two very strong, young rookies.

Fans have every right to be upset about the loss, but it's hard to be upset with Eichel. Nine seconds before McDavid's game winner, Eichel very nearly won the game for Buffalo on a shot that went wide. Eichel failed to record a point in the loss, but his accomplishments this season have been nothing short of impressive.

Eichel is currently the team's leading goal-scorer with 19 goals this season. After a less-than-notable game Tuesday, Eichel bounced back strong in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Eichel scored Buffalo's fifth goal of the evening, giving his team a healthy two goal cushion before Evander Kane's empty-netter. He also scored Buffalo's second goal in the Sabres' 3-2 loss to the Wild on Saturday and their lone goal in the shootout. The Sabres are still in the basement of the standings, but Eichel has helped to make the team far more interesting to watch, and things are clearly headed in the right direction for Buffalo.

While Edmonton and Buffalo won’t face one another again this season, Eichel and McDavid are already set to meet up later this year. On Wednesday, the NHL announced that both players will represent Team North America in September's World Cup of Hockey. With the two potentially playing on the same line, pundits and fans will undoubtedly have another opportunity to compare the two players.

The fact is, Eichel will always find himself compared with McDavid. Before their NHL careers began, even their names were intertwined. While McDavid is an impressive player, the Sabres certainly didn’t lose the lottery. They gained a stellar young player, with the potential to become one of the greats. Tuesday's loss may have been disheartening for some fans, but there will be many more match-ups in the future. And for the first time in a long time for Sabres fans, that future certainly looks bright.