Vanek continuing torrid stretch for Sabres

Dec 11, 2008 - 11:52 PM By Bill Bernardi PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Fueled by last season's strong finish, Thomas Vanek has continued his impressive start to this campaign.

Vanek recorded his NHL-leading 21st and 22nd goals on Wednesday as the Buffalo Sabres overcame an early two-goal deficit and handed the Tampa Bay Lightning their ninth straight defeat with a 4-2 triumph.

The 24-year-old Austrian notched his sixth multi-goal effort of the season and moved past Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers for the league lead in tallies.

That's quite the start to this season - and a far cry from how Vanek began the 2007-08 campaign.

After the Sabres staved off the Edmonton Oilers - who inked him to an offer sheet - and ultimately paid a king's ransom - $50 million over seven years - to keep him in Buffalo, Vanek's initial production gave the team ample reason to second-guess its decision.

The fifth overall pick of the 2003 draft, Vanek netted just 12 goals in his first 41 games. He eventually found his touch, scoring 24 times - and recording four hat tricks - in the final 41 contests of the regular season.

"I think (I) had a good second half last year. I told myself at the end of the year, I want to start this year just like I ended the season last year," Vanek said. "I know there's a long way to go, and that's what I'm looking forward to."

With the way Vanek's been playing, so are the Sabres (14-11-3).

On Wednesday, Vanek accepted a brilliant feed from Ales Kotalik and leveled the contest at 2-2 with 8:08 remaining in the second period with a goal on a breakaway. With 15 seconds remaining in the session, Vanek gave Buffalo a lead it would not relinquish after creating space on the doorstep and backhanding the puck just under the crossbar.

"He's got 22 goals already. That's just a testament to how talented he is," Buffalo's Drew Stafford said. "When he gets opportunities, we have a lot of faith he's going to bury those."

Tampa Bay goaltender Mike Smith, who was exposed twice by Vanek on Wednesday, was in no position to disagree.

"He's obviously one of the top players in the league," Smith said. "He gets in position to score and he's got a great shot. He goes all-out. He's one of those players we can't leave alone. He hurt us, for sure."

But not just on the offensive end, according to teammate Jason Pominville.

"Obviously, scoring goals is pretty impressive, but the way he's playing defensively, chipping in on the penalty kill, playing well in every area - that's what's really impressive to me," Pominville said.

Impressive, right from the start.