NHL scores 2016: Jack Eichel’s return has been a thing of beauty

You almost expected Jack Eichel to come back from his ankle injury like he was shot out of a cannon. After seeing Auston Matthews light up in his NHL debut, Connor McDavid continue to lead the league in points by a wide margin, and Patrik Laine explode into Calder Trophy consideration, Eichel had to be itching to get out onto the ice and just play.

And play he has. Through two games of the 2016-17 season, Eichel has four points after scoring a pair in the Sabres’ last-minute 4-3 win over the Rangers on Thursday night. He was all over the ice, especially in the third period where he potted both goals in less than two minutes.

A fair bit of set up for Eichel’s night has to come from Henrik Lundqvist and his no good, very bad game. The rest, though? Pure Eichel power.

And he’s clearly energized the Sabres, who beat some pretty fine teams in the Rangers and Oilers this week, and they now have four wins in their last six games. Eichel is the beating heart of this team, and he’s making Buffalo all the better by his fast start.

The NHL is practically overflowing with young, talented hockey players now. Eichel’s contributions despite suffering a blow before the start of the season has him back in the conversation, and the league is all the better for it.

Sabres 4, Rangers 3
Bruins 2, Hurricanes 1 (SO)
Penguins 6, Stars 2
Islanders 3, Capitals 0
Flyers 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Panthers 2, Red Wings 1 (OT)
Blues 5, Lightning 4
Oilers 6, Jets 3
Blackhawks 4, Devils 3 (OT)
Blue Jackets 3, Avalanche 2
Kings 4, Coyotes 3
Ducks 3, Canucks 1

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1. Lundqvist’s bad day affected more than just a Ranger loss

Goaltenders are allowed to have bad days. Everyone has them, except Carey Price it seems. Lundqvist’s poor performance not only gave the Rangers their fifth loss in eight games, it also broke a 13-game undefeated streak when New York was leading after two periods. Now the Rangers seems to be returning back to Earth after their hot start to the year that had them leading the Metropolitan Division at 13-4.

2. The Islanders seem to have turned the corner

Another New York team has been in the news recently, but for completely different reasons. The Islanders, after winning just two games in November coming into this week, finished the month with a pair of wins. After Thursday, it’s now a three-game win streak for the Islanders, who have undoubtedly saved the job of head coach Jack Capuano.

3. Tampa Bay finally had to pull one of their goalies

It took 25 games, but for the first time this season the Lightning had to pull their goaltender due to performance. Andrei Vasilevskiy had a rough outing, allowing four goals on 16 shots in just under 22 minutes of game time. Tough, especially since the Lightning scored four goals of their own in the eventual 5-4 loss to the Blues.

4. Vladimir Tarasenko is red hot

A big reason the Lightning had such trouble? Tarasenko netted his third career hat trick in the victory for St. Louis.

Need any more proof of Tarasenko’s recent dominance? Look no further.

5. The Kings continued their bad starts, but it didn’t matter!

Los Angles has won six of their last seven, despite having allowed goals on their first shot against in the last three games.

The Kings and Coyotes traded goals in the third period, but Los Angeles had the last laugh on Trevor Lewis’ third of the year.

Claude Giroux got engaged on Wednesday! Normally a cause for celebration, right? Even better for the Flyers captain, he scored a pair of goals — including the overtime winner — to help Philadelphia to their fourth win in six games.

So, the Hurricanes might actually be bad? After their 2-1 loss in the shootout to Boston — in a game in which they lead for almost half — Carolina is now 9-9-5 and seventh in the Metropolitan.