What do you need to know about last nights big stories? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.More than just scoring: Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel has three goals and one assist for four points in his first two games back from a high-ankle sprain. His return to the lineup has paid dividends. Were not here to talk offense, however: His defensive game has been just as important to the Sabres success. In the waning minutes of Thursdays game, Buffalo had a one-goal lead, and the New York Rangers were pressuring. In an all-out effort, Eichel won a battle along the wall and was able to chip the puck into the neutral zone to secure the 4-3 victory. It was another example of how the leagues talented young players are bringing a two-way game. The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid plays that game. The Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews is learning that trait too. If you want to be one of the best players in the NHL -- and, above all, win -- you have to excel at both ends of the ice. If a player is willing to make those sacrifices for the betterment of the team, it goes a long way with your teammates and fans. Eichel is that type of player.Tarasenko lighting it up: Speaking of dynamic players, the St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko is one of the best. Hes a dangerous player when hes hot, which is the case right now. He scored his third career hat trick and equaled a career-high four points en route to a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Hes the type of player who wants the puck on his stick, and when he has it, theres no denying his ability. He can skate and shoot, and his hockey sense is off the charts. When hes this consistent and confident, it makes everyone around him better. He scored 40 goals last season, and hes on track to hit that mark again. Tarasenko, 24, has nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in the last 13 games.?McDavid-Eichel is back on: Oilers superstar Connor McDavid continues to amaze with his speed and production, which was again on display against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. He assisted on three of Edmontons goals en route to a 6-3 win. McDavid extended his points streak to seven games, during which he has six goals and nine assists for 15 points. It was his 10th multipoint game of the season, and he leads the league with 34 points in 25 games. His offensive production is impressive, but, as with Eichel, his two-way game bears mentioning. It starts with speed: The explosiveness of McDavid and Eichel is almost unmatched; both play at an entirely different level. Its a toss-up as to which player is more exciting to watch. McDavid is the leader in the clubhouse, but in his two games back, Eichel has been remarkable. Nike Roshe Discount . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Cheap Nike Roshe Online .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.cheapnikeroshe.net/ . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Nike Roshe Sale Cheap . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Cheap Nike Roshe Shoes .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. TORONTO -- Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays are stumbling in September.Drew Smyly pitched 5 2/3 innings to remain unbeaten at Rogers Centre, Alexei Ramirez and Steven Souza Jr. hit home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 6-2 on Tuesday night.Russell Martin had a two-run shot, but Toronto lost for the eighth time in 11 September games.Toronto cant afford many more losses. The Blue Jays are tied with the Orioles for the AL wild-card spots and two games behind Boston in the East.Were in September and were at the point where we need to be getting wins, so its frustrating, Stroman said. Just wash it and get to the next one but at the end of it we need to start winning games here.Stroman (9-8) allowed three runs and four hits in six innings, falling to 0-3 this month. Hes winless in five starts since a home victory over Houston on Aug. 14.I thought he was good, manager John Gibbons said. We just came up short.Martin said Stroman deserved a better fate.He threw the ball well, Martin said. I dont really care what the stats say.Toronto has lost seven of their last 11 games against the Rays. Theyre 8-10 against Tampa Bay with one game remaining, and have lost eight of the past nine season series.The Blue Jays were without reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson for the second straight game. Donaldson is day to day with a sore right hip and hopes to return Wednesday.Toronto has scored three runs or fewer in six of its past eight. They loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Edwin Encarnacion struck out against Danny Farquhar.I elevated a fastball and luckily he swung, Farquhar said.Ramirez hit a three-run homer off Stroman in the fifth and Souza drilled a solo shot off Joe Biagini in the seventhh.ddddddddddddRamirezs home run was his first since signing with Tampa Bay after being released by San Diego earlier this month. His previous homer, on Aug. 15, was a solo shot off Smyly at Tampa Bay when Ramirez was still with the Padres.When he came over here I was like `I know you remember that home run off me Smyly said. Hes a good hitter, man. Hes been around for 10 years.Smyly (7-11) came in 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA at Rogers Centre in five appearances, including three starts. He allowed two runs and five hits.Thats a really tough lineup, Smyly said. Every time you face them, you know you have to be on point, you have to be commanding the ball well.DRAWING A CROWDThe crowd of 38,338 put Toronto over the three-million mark for the sixth time in franchise history and the first time since 1993. The Blue Jays have averaged an AL-best 41,460 this season. They have eight home games remaining.POWER BALLThe Rays have hit at least one home run in 16 of their 18 meetings with the Blue Jays this season.TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: Gibbons said Donaldson jammed his hip when he stepped on first base in Sundays loss to Boston. The three-time All-Star third baseman is stuck in a career-worst seven game hitless streak. Hes 0 for 23 with seven strikeouts in that span.UP NEXTRays RHP Alex Cobb (0-0, 4.09) starts against Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada (8-8, 3.68) in Wednesday afternoons series finale. Cobb will make his third start since returning from elbow surgery. Hes 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two career starts at Toronto. Estrada lasted a season-low 2 1/3 innings in Fridays loss to Boston. ' ' '