Eichel's late surge may not be enough for sluggish Sabres
Jack can't do it alone.
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel has been the NHL's best since Feb. 1, collecting 24 points in his last 18 games. Through 46 games, Eichel has 45 points, and a near point-per-game pace that ranks 13th league-wide (among skaters with at least 40 games).
Facing the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, and with Buffalo's playoff hopes fading, the Sabres were defeated 6-3. Eichel registered two of the tallies after picking up an assist on Evander Kane's goal, but it wasn't enough, as the Sabres fell to 1-5-2 in their last eight outings.
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The game was the Sabres' first since Sunday's collapse against the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which Buffalo grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the opening frame only to fall 4-3 in regulation.
With just 15 games left on the campaign, the Sabres have made things a little more difficult for themselves, now sitting seven points outside of the East's final playoff seed, while four teams stand between Buffalo and the New York Islanders, the current occupants of the second wild-card slot.
A playoff miss would extend the Sabres' postseason drought to six years. Only the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes have been worse, while the Oilers are poised to make their first playoff appearance since 2006.
Buffalo is back in action Friday to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, owners of the league's third-best record, and 24 points ahead of the Sabres.