Eichel Is In Rarified Ayres (Sabres)

Sabres

Eichel Is In Rarified Ayres

By GARTH'S CORNER

Feb 23, 2020 • 9:46 am

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It’s a long shot, however, if they can reel in and catch the Toronto Maple Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division race, the Buffalo Sabres will earn a playoff berth for the first time in nine years.

When they finally do quench their playoff thirst, the Sabres will do so because their captain Jack Eichel carried his entire team on his broad shoulder ls to accomplish the goal.

To say nothing of an entire fan base riding on Jack's coat tails.

It's been a long time coming for the Sabres and the playoffs.

With 21 games remaining in the regular season, Eichel and Associates now have a puncher's chance of accomplishing their team goal.

The Sabres defeated Pittsburgh 5-2 on Saturday and made a bold step towards a late season playoff push.

On Saturday night, the Sabres got a massive break when a zamboni driver from Toronto gave the gift of hockey to his friends 65 miles away in Buffalo.

His name is David Ayres and he is a 42 year old rink employee at the barn the Toronto Maple Leafs call home.

Instant legend. Ayres' dreams of playing in the NHL were realized when he was summoned to put on his suit of armor and skate to the crease in an NHL crease. On Hockey Night In Canada for the world to see! Why was Ayres a Carolina Hurricane for the evening? Canes goalies Petr Mrazek and James Reimer were both injured during the games and were forced to leave the game. Ayres, the disaster goalie, was forced to dress and play in his first and only NHL game ever.

In his postgame scrum, we learned that Ayres has had serious health issues in his life that he thought at the time would force him to stop playing the game he loves.

“I went through a kidney transplant 15 years ago. Never thought I was gonna play hockey again at that moment,… said Ayres.

“I’m supposed to practice tomorrow at 12:30. I’ll take my game puck with me.…

CHIRP!

For his efforts, Ayres earned $500 and got to keep his #90 Hurricanes white road sweater.

However, Ayres will never be able to wipe the smile from his face after he defeated the Maple Leafs in their barn.

Sabres fans should support Ayres by purchasing one of these beauty t-shirts.

The Sabres now trail the Leafs by 8 points for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres now have two games in hand on the Leafs. Buffalo hosts Winnipeg today and a win would move the Sabres to within six points of the listless Leafs.

You better believe Eichel will have his teammates ready for battle against the Jets.

Eichel is buzzing.

Eichel scored two power play goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and became the sixth different player in the last 40 years to score 35 goals in 60 games or fewer.

Thanks, Sabres TV Eichel has a career high 35 goals and counting this season. Eichel has 25 even strength goals and is now in sixth in the NHL scoring race with 77 points and counting.

Eichel now has scored at least a point in each of Buffalo’s last seven games (4G,7a). It’s his third point streak of at least seven games this season.

There is no doubt in my in my mind that Eichel will be a finalist for the Hart Trophy later this season. His numbers confirm it.

Eichel’s MVP caliber season has him on pace to score over 100 points this season.

By this time next week or sooner, Eichel will join exclusive company in Sabres more when he achieves back to back 80-point seasons.

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