A dynamic stretch in which Sabres center Tage Thompson scored three goals and an NHL-high nine points in four games has earned him First Star honors for the week ending Sunday.
Thompson, 28, enjoyed one of the best outings of his career in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, scoring his ninth career hat trick and hitting the five-point mark for the third time.
The American registered his 200th career goal and his 22nd game-winning score that night.
Thompson also recorded an assist in last Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, two assists in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers and an assist in Saturday afternoon’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (two goals and seven points) and Utah Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka (three wins, 1.67 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage) were named the second and third stars, respectively.
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Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters following Monday afternoon’s 2-1 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes that defenseman Michael Kesselring missed the game because he tweaked the high ankle sprain that recently sidelined him seven contests.
Kesselring, who has battled injuries all season, returned for Saturday afternoon’s 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild and practiced Sunday.
Ruff said Kesselring could play Tuesday in Nashville.
“It’s nothing … we think is too serious,” he said.
Defenseman Jacob Bryson moved back into the lineup against Carolina.