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Jack Eichel scores in season debut (Video)

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 29, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jack Eichel got a goal and an assist in his first twenty minutes during his season debut. 

The Buffalo Sabres are ecstatic to have Jack Eichel back. Without him, they have been the worst scoring team in the NHL, averaging a shade over two goals per game. Eichel made his season debut for the Sabres on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators and, naturally, it didn’t take him too long to make an impact.

Through the first period of the game, Buffalo has a 3-1 lead thanks to a goal and an assist from Eichel.

Ten minutes into his season, the 2015 second overall pick already has two points. He’s picking up where he left off after a fabulous rookie year. During Eichel’s rookie season, he had 24 goals and 56 points. The Sabres’ center made a huge impact on the power play last season, so it’s fitting his first two points of the 2016-17 season came on the power play.

For his first goal, Eichel fired an impressive one-timer that got past Senators goaltender Craig Anderson. However, his first assist came earlier. This one happened thanks to an impressive goal from Kyle Okposo. Eichel picked up an assist on that one.

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His presence has already made an impact for Buffalo because they scored three goals in the first period. Without Eichel, the Sabres had scored three goals just once in the month of November. Getting him back should help stabilize Buffalo’s lineup and make things easier for everyone. Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo were getting most of the attention while Eichel was recovering from a high ankle sprain. He suffered it during a practice back in October.

Meanwhile, Ottawa has allowed three goals in a period for the first time in a while. Considering how good they are defensively, it’s impressive the Sabres were able to get three goals against them in just one period.

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