Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson earned the NHL First Star of the Week on Monday following a dominant performance on the ice. The recognition comes as the team returns home to begin a four-game homestand starting Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.
Scoring Surge on the Road Trip
Thompson topped the league with eight points, consisting of five goals and three assists, across three games that helped the Sabres secure a 3-0-1 record on their recent four-game road trip. The successful stretch included an overtime loss in Washington followed by victories over San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles, bringing the team’s season record to 7-4-3.
The forward’s productive week began with an assist on Zach Benson’s empty-net goal during a 2-0 victory against the Sharks. He then recorded a natural hat trick along with two assists in a 7-6 win over the Ducks, before scoring two goals in a 3-2 triumph against the Kings.
Player and Team Outlook
Reflecting on his performance during practice on Monday, Thompson noted that the team played with greater consistency during the trip. “(We)had a good trip out there, and started to play a little more consistent and (found) our game,” Thompson stated, adding that he feels confident about his current form and aims to maintain the momentum.
With 10 goals in 14 games, Thompson is currently outpacing the historic 47-goal season he achieved in 2022-23. The Sabres continue to rely heavily on his offensive output, as winger Jack Quinn and center Noah Ostlund are among the few other forwards meeting expectations in the competitive Eastern Conference.
The Sabres will host the Ottawa Senators at home on Wednesday to open their upcoming four-game homestand.
