Eichel Scores, But Buffalo Sabres Lose Opener

The Buffalo Sabres got off to a slow start by giving up a goal in the first 30 seconds of Thursday night's season opener at First Niagara Center.  They fell behind 2-0 before making a game of it in the third period but came up on the short end of a 3-1 score against the Ottawa Senators.

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel brought the sellout crowd to its feet with his first NHL goal on a wicked shot on the power play to cut the Ottawa lead in half.  Just 1:23 later Evander Kane scored what looked like the tying goal, but Ottawa became the second team in as many night to issue a review challenge claiming the Sabres were offside on the play.  And the challenge held up.  The video did show that Zemgus Girgensons was offside on the play, so the Sabres goal was negated.  The Senators closed out the game scoring into an empty net in the final seconds.

No doubt this season's edition of the Sabres is going to provide a lot more excitement than what we saw the last couple of seasons.  But when you consider there are so many new faces and a new coaching staff it might take some time for the team to come together.  One thing is for sure, Eichel is the real deal.  He's a future superstar and the future may be here sooner than later.

The Sabres are back home again Saturday afternoon to host the Tampa Bay Lightning.