Tage Thompson delivered a standout performance, scoring four goals to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. The victory rallied the Sabres from an early deficit and dealt a blow to New Jersey’s playoff hopes.
Thompson completed a natural hat trick by netting the go-ahead goal with 4:34 left in the game and sealed the victory with an empty-netter, marking his second career game with four or more goals.
The Sabres bounced back impressively from a 6-2 defeat to Ottawa on Wednesday. They trailed 5-0 after the first period.
“Down two early, it would have been easy to fold, but we responded the right way,” said Thompson, now tied with JJ Peterka for the team lead with 26 goals. “It says a lot about the character in our room and our guys here.”
Peterka also added an empty-net goal, his fifth in four games. Alex Tuch extended his point streak to seven games (one goal, nine assists) with two assists, and Devon Levi made 28 saves.
The loss left the Devils five points behind the Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey is now 16-2-1 when leading after one period this season.
“Just another immature performance by us,” said Devils captain Nico Hischier. “We know we should have taken advantage of this game. No excuses. We’ve got to find a way to win against certain teams, and we haven’t done that all year. It should not happen.”
Max Willman and Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils, who missed the chance to win three straight games for just the fifth time this season. Jake Allen stopped 31 shots, falling to 4-3 since being acquired from Montreal.
Buffalo remained mathematically in the playoff race, moving to 12th in the East, one point ahead of Pittsburgh and six behind Washington.
After scoring twice in the second period, Thompson completed his hat trick by batting down Rasmus Dahlin’s shot from the left point, with the puck trickling under Allen. Thompson then used his reach to sweep the puck behind the goalie.
“Tonight it was will and drive,” said Sabres coach Don Granato. “Tage lifted the team with his performance. He’s a handful when he’s playing like that.”
Thompson’s surge began after Willman’s and Bratt’s goals deflected in off Sabres players, giving the Devils a 2-0 lead 10:31 into the first period.
Thompson responded by scoring 28 seconds into the second period off a turnover by Timo Meier in the neutral zone. He then tied the game with 2:31 left in the period, set up by Tuch, who forced a turnover by John Marino.
Luke Hughes’ assist on Willman’s goal marked his 41st point of the season, ranking third on the Devils’ rookie list. He trails Scott Niedermayer by one point and Viacheslav Fetisov by three points, with Will Butcher holding the record at 44 points from the 2017-18 season.
UP NEXT
- Devils: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
- Sabres: Host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
