Winning Play: Labanc Doing the Little Things, 400 Feet of Good Hertl Hockey | SJHN+

Kevin Labanc was mired in a six-game pointless streak, but Bob Boughner wasn’t concerned.

“Bancer’s played very well as of late. Hasn’t had a lot to show for it when it comes to the stat line,” Boughner said of Labanc’s performances in Los Angeles and in the home opener. “His play has been better than his stat line.”

If that sounds like smoke – Labanc, after all, was called a potential 60-point scorer, when Doug Wilson signed him to a four-year, $19.5 million dollar contract in October – Boughner specified what the winger, who had just five points in 13 games going into the San Jose Sharks’ 3-2 victory over Anaheim, was doing well.

“He’s been hunting pucks,” Boughner offered. “He’s been hungry on the forecheck.”

This Labanc shift – one where he didn’t score – was a good example of Boughner’s larger point.