Thompson Named NHL First Star Of The Week

The Buffalo Sabres returned home to begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators after earning seven of a possible eight points going 3-0-1 on a four-game road trip, with an overtime loss in Washington and three wins over San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles. Tage Thompson was the scoring star in the California sweep and on Monday was named the NHL First Star of the Week.

Thompson led the NHL with eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) in the three games, which improved their record to 7-4-3 this season. After assisting on the Zach Benson’s empty net goal in the 2-0 win over the Sharks on Tuesday. The big forward then scored a natural hat trick and a pair of assists in a 7-6 victory over the Ducks on Thursday, followed by a pair of goals in a 3-2 victory over the Kings on Saturday afternoon. 

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"(We)had  a  good  trip  out  there,  and  started  to  play  a  little  more  consistent and (found) our  game," Thompson said after practice on Monday.  Yeah, "(I'm)  feeling  pretty  good  about where my  games at.  I  felt  good  about  it  really  all  season. Some  games  they're  going  to  go  in  for  you,  and  some  games  are  not.  But I  feel  like  for  the  most  part,  generating  some  pretty  good  looks  and  playing  some  pretty  solid  hockey.  So we  just  gotta  continue  to  build  off  it  and  keep  finding  ways  to  do  better."

Thompson has 10 goals in 14 games, and is setting a torrid pace that would top his career-high 47 goals in 2022-23. The Sabres are relying on his production more than ever this season, as the only other player who is meeting or exceeding expectations so far is winger Jack Quinn, who is second in team scoring with 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) and sophomore center Noah Ostlund with four goals. For the Sabres to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons, Buffalo will have to get more depth scoring contributions to stay in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. 

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