While a more prominent jumbo-sized sniper has been setting records and getting a lot of attention lately, Tage Thompson is quietly on an impressive run himself.
The Buffalo Sabres’ 6-foot-6, 220-pound center had seven goals in his last four games going into Tuesday night’s contest against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.
Thompson had a hat trick in Sunday’s 6-3 home win over the Boston Bruins to give him 43 goals for the season, to go along with 27 assists for 70 points in 70 games.
“I think first and foremost, he’s the ultimate competitor,” teammate Alex Tuch said of Thompson. “He wants to win out there, he wants to score goals, he wants to be a difference-maker each and every night, and it’s evident. It’s really easy to follow when you’re playing with a guy like that, gives you a lot of energy. Honestly, he’s becoming a superstar and it’s awesome to see.”
This is the second time that Thompson, 27, has surpassed 40 goals in his eight-year career.
The Sabres (34-36-6, 74 points) have won four in a row while emphasizing defense.
“I think we knew if we just played the right way, the goals would come for us,” Thompson said. “I think we know, we’ve proven to ourselves we can score. So I think it’s just not getting bored playing the right way when you don’t see results right away. I think, yeah, I like the commitment to battling and finding a way to gut out a win.”
The Hurricanes (46-26-4, 96 points) are second in the Metropolitan Division but have lost their last two.
Carolina’s latest loss was on Saturday, a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the host Boston Bruins.
“I thought it was not a bad start, and then a couple of goals (given up) right at the end of the first period kind of set us back and we just couldn’t get going,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Then they get kind of another weird one where you’re like, ‘That shouldn’t go in,’ and now we’re chasing the game. We put up a lot of offense, but when you’re behind like that, it’s just tough, and their goalie played really well.”
Carolina barely avoided being shutout when Justin Robidas, who was playing in his second NHL game, scored with 55 seconds left.
“It’s fun to contribute offensively,” Robidas said. “Unfortunate that came in a loss like that, but for sure it’s something that I’ll remember. It’s a pretty big weekend for myself and my family and everyone that supported me, so it’s definitely very special.”
Despite the goal, Robidas was returned to AHL affiliate Chicago on Sunday. Robidas made his NHL debut on Friday, a 5-3 loss to the host Detroit Red Wings in which he got an assist for his first NHL point. Robidas has 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 65 games in the AHL this season.
Frederik Andersen, who had won his last seven starts, made 21 saves in the loss to the Bruins on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
