Eichel's five assists tie Sabres' record in win against Predators

Eichel's five assists tie Sabres' record in win against Predators image

Jack Eichel set a new career-high, reached a milestone and tied a franchise record all in one night. 

The 21-year-old center recorded five assists in the first two periods against the Predators Saturday night, the first five-point game by a Sabres player since Thomas Vanek's in Jan. 2013. It was a career-high for the 21-year-old Eichel, who matched a Sabres' franchise-record in the process, helping to lead the Sabres to a surprise 7-4 victory against the Nashville Predators. A Nashville victory would given the Predators a chance to clinch the Central Division with some added outside help.

The five helpers also saw Eichel reach 100 for his career and by the end of the night, he pushed his total to 103. The No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft now has 62 points in 63 games this season, and 170 points in 204 career games. 

Eichel was one of five Sabres players who had a multi-point game in Buffalo's victory, and part of Eichel's career night also helped spark another big offensive performance. Sam Reinhart recorded his second career hat trick, two of his goals assisted by Eichel, while Reinhart tied his career-high in goals (23) set in 2015-16, and points (47) set last season.

Kyle Okposo contributed two goals and Rasmus Ristolainen recorded three assists. Ryan O'Reilly chipped in a goal and two helpers.

With the two points, Buffalo moved up to 62 on the season, still in 31st place in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators lost in regulation, seeing them stay on 65 points, meaning the Sabres magic number to clinch the top draft-lottery odds stayed at six. The Coyotes and Canucks both won though, favorable results for Buffalo.