Tage Thompson Explodes for Five Goals vs. Blue Jackets

Tage Thompson needed roughly 36 minutes Wednesday night to tie a Buffalo Sabres’ record that has stood for 26 years.

The 6-foot-6 center scored five goals on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets to tie Dave Andreychuk’s team record for goals in a game. Thompson scored his fifth goal just past the 16-minute mark of the second period. He also posted an assist to give him six points in a 9-4 triumph against Columbus.

The only NHLer to score more goals than Thompson in one road game is Gordon “Red” Berenson who netted six at the Spectrum against the Philadelphia Flyers, Nov. 7, 1968.

Thompson has been tearing through the NHL since the beginning of last season. The talk of Buffalo this season and not what Thompson has done, but rather, what he might do next.

The former University of Connecticut standout had a breakout season in 2021-22 with 38 goals. He had a three-goal, six-point night in an 8-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings earlier this season. He had a three-game stretch when he rang up 25 shots on goal. Thompson also had a four-game span when he combined for 29 shots.

Thompson, 25, had nine shots on goal Wednesday against the Blue Jackets. He’s third in the NHL, behind Connor McDavid and David Pastrnak, with 121 shots. That’s 4.65 shots per game.

The turning point in Thompson’s career seems to be when Buffalo coach Don Granato moved him from wing to center. He’s a big man with reach and puck-handling skill. Those attributes have allowed him to become one of the game’s most dynamic performers. He’s on pace, if he plays every game, to finish with 125 points.

⭐️ Kirill Kaprizov sets the Wild franchise record for goal (7) and point streaks (13). Dumba's rocket one-timer broke Kaprizov's stick en route to the back of the net to extend Kaprizov's goal and point streaks last night (watch here). His 7-game goal streak passes the previous record shared by Nino Niederreiter and Brian Rolston, while his 13-game point streak passes previous record holders Mikael Granlund and Kevin Fiala.

📈 Connor McDavid's four point night extends scoring lead to eight points. Thanks to another two goals and two assists last night, Connor McDavid has collected 52 points in just 27 games played this season. Reaching the 50-point mark in just 27 games ties him with Pat LaFontaine for the 5th fastest to 50 points in the last 30 years and sits him atop the NHL scoring race, per usual.

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