I feel like Daniel Alfredsson deserves a nod or two for his efforts last night in Ottawa’s 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. After scoring his first goal of the night to put Ottawa up 1-0, they announced that he was playing in his 800th game, and he was given an extended ovation, with the crowd chanting “Alfie, Alfie” up until Hecht scored.
For a guy that was almost booed out of town less than a year ago, Alfredsson has come a long way into becoming one of the elite Swedish players in the league, and arguably the most underpaid player. Considering he is averaging 4.4 million for the next 4 years, (including three option years) Alfie will be a great asset to a team full of big contracts with Heatley, Spezza, Fisher, and Redden.
His first goal last night was much prettier than the second, with Heatley dropping the puck for Fisher, who made yet another impressive pass to Alfredsson streaking through the middle. Credit Alfie for not immediately taking a shot, which was clearly what Miller was expecting. He basically got a free goal after that, as the entire right side of the net was open, and what a time to score a goal like that.
His second was nothing special. An effort in front, which was saved, but then literally kicked onto his stick by a Buffalo defender, who rolled his head in shame after handing the goal away. Alfredsson tied Kovalchuk for the league lead in goals with 15 after last night, a total that is more expected out of star winger Dany Heatley, who collected assists 12 and 13 on the Alfredsson goals.
It is amazing that Alfie is actually dwarfing Heatley’s 21 points in 17 games. With 15 goals and 10 assists in the 17 games this season, Alfie is setting not only personal bests, but is really continuing on from an impressive playoff run that was stopped short only in the cup finals.
The concept is clear here. Paddock needs to take advantage of this healthy Afredsson as much as he can. There will be times where Daniel will start to show age, but until that time, Ottawa has one of the best players in the league at the top of his game, playing hard every night. I think it is pretty clear how Ottawa (15-2-0) is benefiting from him.
