Things We Know This Week: Captain Jack’s Streak Hits 16

Jack Eichel extends his point streak to 16 games with a goal helping the Sabres secure a point against the Islanders as they lost a hard-fought battle in overtime.  Two more games could tie Sweet Gilbert’s 49-year-old franchise record. That would be 18 games. Matching and/or passing Perreault’s record certainly will not come easy.

Jack Eichel’s Last 16 Games

Things that made me go hmm..

Defenseman Paul Coffey had a point streak of 28 games in 1985-86. That is so far superior to Buffalo’s record from 71-72. He was also a defenseman. Wow. Maybe Dahlin after maturity? Just saying…

Many players fall in between. I wanted to jump to the 1989-90 season as Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins superstar, recorded points in 46 consecutive games.

Wayne Gretzky holds the record that will likely never to be broken with 51 consecutive games with a point. Unbelievable. The Sabres franchise record is 18 games and has stood for 49 years. Eichel may break that record this year. Just imagine a 51 game point streak.  It’s hard to comprehend. It was a different game then, however, no excuses. 51 games is amazing on so many levels.

Eichel’s teammates have been referencing him as the best player in the world right now. The suggestion is not unreasonable. He kills penalties, takes clutch faceoffs, plays physical, is an effective young captain. He also was already known as a playmaker. This year he is making a statement with scoring goals. And doing it often. Highlight reel goals as a matter of fact. Any time Captain Jack touches the puck everyone stops what they were doing to pay closer attention.

Unfortunately, as incredible as Jack has been this season, two players on the Oilers, two on the Bruins and one in the Mile High City rank higher on most voters Hart Trophy charts. He can change that, but he would need to reach yet another level. He must stay healthy, for one. And, of course, the team must perform around him so he can go to the net.

Having the leading rookie scorer sure is not a bad thing. Six points in the past five games. 20 points in 19 games. Victor Olofsson was a 2014 7th-round pick for the Sabres. 7th rounders usually don’t make the farm teams, let alone earning a permanent spot in Buffalo playing in very important situations. However, Olofsson has broken that trend. He has no fear handling the puck. This kid will have a long NHL career ahead of him.

That reminds me of the incredible season Lafontaine had when centering a line with Alexander Mogilny…

‘Alexander the Great’ tallied 76 goals and 127 points that year for the Sabres. It just so happens that Teemu Selänne pulled a rookie hotshot out of his backside and tied Mogilny for the goal-scoring lead that year. Pat Lafontain was in the driver’s seat for the scoring title with 148 points, however, Super Mario returned after missing a significant amount of time dealing with Hodgson disease passed Lafontain for the scoring title. Lafontain was amazing that year but Lemiuex just did his thing. Sick, weak, or scared….he turned on the heat. Both Mogilny and Patty La La dominated like no other Sabre has before and they both got passed on.

Captain Jack is also simply amazing. Maybe he can right the ship.