USA Hockey happy with future While Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Buffalo’s Jack Eichel embarked Tuesday in the curtain-raiser of a rivalry that could endure for years, no one could be happier at the scene than officials with USA Hockey. To this point in their infant National Hockey League careers, both Eichel and Matthews have been promoted as part of splashier rivalries. McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers and Eichel’s Buffalo Sabres only play twice each and every season. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma understands how important the role of frequent meetings is in the building of a rivalry. But because of the proximity between their cities and the frequency with which they’ll play against each other, the Matthews-Eichel rivalry might be the one packing the most punch.

Source: National Post January 18, 2017 15:47 UTC