BUFFALO – Sabres star Tage Thompson’s recent exploits illustrate he must be feeling a heck of a lot better these days.
To wit: in Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, his one-timer that beat goalie Charlie Lindgren was clocked at 103.7 mph, the hardest shot that resulted in a goal since NHL Edge began its tracking in 2021-22.
Thompson, 27, pumped six shots on goal and played a season-high 23 minutes, 48 seconds against the Washington Capitals, his highest total since Dec. 9, 2023.
His power-play score was his third goal and ninth point in the last seven games. The Sabres are 4-2-1 during that stretch. In his five-game goalless streak prior to his current hot stretch, the Sabres went 0-5-0 to close their 13-game winless skid.
Tage Thompson, 3-2 PPG #sabrehood #allcaps pic.twitter.com/mc5Jc1HUMj
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) January 7, 2025
Thompson, the Sabres’ offensive catalyst, usually serves as their top center. But coach Lindy Ruff recently shifted him to right wing, a spot that can ease the strain on his nagging injury.
He could be battling the lower-body ailment that forced him to miss five games in November.
“He has been dealing with something,” Ruff said following Monday’s win in KeyBank Center. “It’s the reason he hasn’t been in the middle. He’s getting better, and he’s still playing, so give him a lot of credit for that.”
Moving to right wing, a position Thompson played early in his NHL career, lightens his load a bit. For example, prior to taking three faceoffs Monday, he hadn’t been in the dot in the previous three games.
Thompson’s comfort utilizing his blistering shot indicates he’s feeling better. He has registered 15 shots over the last three games, as many as he compiled in his previous 10 outings. He also has 31 shot attempts in the last three contests.
In last Tuesday’s 4-2 road loss to the Dallas Stars, Thompson’s shot attempt reached 106.0 mph, the hardest ever recorded by NHL Edge.
“I feel like I’ve been pretty good,” said Thompson, who has been skating alongside center Dylan Cozens and Jason Zucker. “I’ve liked my game. Obviously, it’s tough to say you like anything about a 13-game losing streak. Obviously, you got to look in the mirror and be better. But, yeah, I’ve been generating a lot of chances. I’d like to bear down and find a way to put those in the net, but (I’m) creating a lot of offense and like the way I’m moving my feet with the puck and creating, getting some good looks. …
“You never want to say you’re comfortable with your game or satisfied with it, but (I’m) happy with the way I’ve been playing. But there’s always another level you can get to.”
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Thompson, whose 19 goals top the Sabres, can certainly reach another level in his defending. He has been on the ice for five goals against in the last four games, including the overtime score in Thursday’s 6-5 road loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
After registering three assists that night, he got caught along the wall in the Colorado zone and gave up the puck to Devon Toews, who zoomed down the ice to score the breakaway winner.
Notes: The Sabres, who play a road game Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, had Tuesday off. … Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju missed about 10 minutes in Monday’s second period before returning to the ice wearing a full face shield. … The goal 4:42 into Monday’s game originally credited to Sabres winger JJ Peterka has been awarded to winger Alex Tuch, giving him two on the night. Peterka has been credited with an assist. Center Ryan McLeod lost his assist on the goal during an earlier scoring change.
Update: The Sabres have recalled center Tyson Kozak, who played his first three NHL games earlier this season, from the Rochester Americans.