Just days after delivering one of the biggest playoff moments Buffalo Sabres fans have seen in years, Tage Thompson finds himself at the center of growing concern as the Sabres attempt to keep their postseason momentum from unraveling.
The same player who scored twice in Buffalo’s emotional series-clinching victory over Boston to send the Sabres into the second round has now gone quiet offensively, and Friday night’s lopsided 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens only intensified questions surrounding the team’s top scorer.
Thompson struggled throughout the game managing only a single shot on goal despite nearly 19 minutes of ice time. He finished the night minus-four and was directly involved in a costly turnover sequence that helped Montreal pull away.
Many fans, myself included, were screaming at the TV any time Thompson touched the puck. It was like he was moving in slow motion.
Some fans were worried that if he kept falling the team would need to get him life alert.
The turning point came during the third period with Buffalo already trailing. Attempting to create offense inside the Canadiens’ zone, Thompson lost control of the puck while trying a spin move near the blue line. Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier quickly transitioned in the other direction, leading to a two-on-one rush and scored a goal that pushed the Canadiens’ lead to 4-1.
The mistake became symbolic of a difficult stretch not only for Thompson individually, but for a Sabres team suddenly struggling to generate consistent offense after entering the playoffs riding a wave of momentum. Although they emerged victorious, the team often searched for offense during their first-round matchup against the Boston Bruins.
During the regular season, Thompson once again established himself as the centerpiece of Buffalo’s offense. He finished the year with 40 goals and 81 points in 81 games, leading the team in both categories and continuing to cement his role as one of the franchise’s most important players.
But since his standout performance against Boston, the production has dried up.
The Canadiens have largely neutralized Buffalo’s top line through the first two games of the series and Thompson has looked visibly frustrated at times trying to create scoring opportunities. Puck management issues, failed zone entries and turnovers have begun to pile up during a stretch where Buffalo desperately needs offensive leadership.
Following Friday’s loss, Thompson was asked whether an undisclosed injury might be contributing to his struggles. The Sabres star shut down the speculation, albiet not with a denial.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” he said.
While declining to discuss his physical condition, Thompson openly acknowledged the frustration surrounding his recent play and the difficulties he experienced against Montreal.
“You obviously want to execute plays and impact the game but I was just fighting it tonight,” said Thompson. “Puck bounces every time you try to touch it. Can’t get a handle on it. Ends up in the back of your net.”
On the turnover that led directly to Carrier’s goal, Thompson said he “just lost my balance” while attempting the move in the offensive zone. For Buffalo, the timing could hardly be worse.
After finally ending years of playoff frustration and knocking off Boston in dramatic fashion, the Sabres entered the second round with expectations surging across Western New York. After a commanding game one win, the series with Montreal has quickly shifted tone with the Canadiens matching Buffalo’s intensity and exposing mistakes that the Sabres largely avoided in the opening round.
Much of the spotlight naturally falls on Thompson because of the role he plays within the organization. Buffalo’s offense is built around his ability to generate scoring chances, dictate play in transition and force defensive adjustments from opponents. When he is producing, the Sabres often look dangerous and fast-paced offensively. When he struggles, Buffalo’s attack can become stagnant.
The frustration appears to be mounting for Thompson personally as well.
“It’s frustrating,” he admitted. “Sometimes frustration sets in and it snowballs.”
Now, with the series tied 1-1 and shifting back to Montreal for Game 3, the pressure intensifies considerably.
Thompson remains Buffalo’s most dangerous offensive weapon and arguably the player most capable of changing a game with a single shift. But through the first two games against the Canadiens, that version of Thompson has been absent.
