Sabres HC: Struggling Eichel, Hall 'need to stick with it'

Many predicted the offseason addition of Taylor Hall would make the Buffalo Sabres an offensive juggernaut, but he and Jack Eichel have combined for just three goals on the campaign.

In five games since the team returned from its COVID-19 shutdown, Eichel has collected just two assists. Monday night's 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders was a particularly rough outing for the captain, as the Sabres generated just 27.3% of the shot attempts and 26% of the expected goals while Eichel was on the ice at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Head coach Ralph Krueger was asked postgame if Eichel was hurt.

"No. No, he's not," Krueger said, according to The Athletic's John Vogl. "For me, it's a confidence factor. He needs to stick with it and persevere."

Hall created more chances on Monday than Eichel, but he remains stymied with one goal on the campaign. Krueger believes Hall and Eichel need to work through their struggles and start carrying the offense.

"If you look at Taylor Hall today also, six shots on net, posts again," Krueger said. "They need to stick with it and they need to believe and work through this and then get our five-on-five game going on their backs."

The Sabres are also lacking contributions from Jeff Skinner, who has yet to score in 14 games. He was a healthy scratch on Monday.

Eichel, Skinner, and Hall make up 33.1% of the Sabres' salary cap, according to CapFriendly.

Buffalo is in last place in the East Division and ranks 28th in goals per game.