There were some that expressed skepticism when the Buffalo Sabres signed center Tage Thompson to a long-term contract extension in July, but he has silenced critics by following up his breakout 68-point campaign in 2021-22 by averaging over a point-per-game this season. On Wednesday, Thompson entered the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy by tying a franchise record with five goals in a 9-4 thrashing of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 25-year-old tied Hockey Hall-of-Famer Dave Andreychuk’s 36-year-old club record by scoring four times in the opening period and one in the middle frame on Jackets goalies Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins, but could not tie Darryl Sittler’s modern day six-goal performance from 1976 or Joe Malone’s seven-goal NHL record from 1920.
-
Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 6:26 am
In this episode, Jim and Chris discuss the latest with the Canucks, […]
“That was an amazing performance by Tage, and really by the whole group, who set the table.” Sabres head coach Don Granato said after the game. “To have a history with Tage, seeing him as a teenager and watching his growth and development, it’s really special for me to be part of his success and to watch that happen. When you’ve seen a kid like him put the work in, it’s nice to see rewards like this.”
Through the first two months of the regular season, Thompson leads the Sabres with 40 points (4th in the NHL) playing on a line with veterans Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch, and with the performance against Columbus has moved just three behind NHL goal leader Connor McDavid and into fourth place in the scoring race behind McDavid, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, and Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Preseason Takeaways: New-Look Jets Have Much to Prove
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils
NHL: NHL Training Camp Preview: Can Sharks, Blues Return To Cup Contender Status?
NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 38: NHL Season Preview: Golden Knights, Maple Leafs, Johnny Gaudreau
Buffalo appears to be making progress this season, leading the NHL with 105 goals scored and with former #1 overall picks Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and 2019 first-round pick Dylan Cozens establishing themselves as franchise cornerstones, but the club is still near the bottom of the Eastern Conference due to defensive growing pains and inconsistency between the pipes with starter Eric Comrie injured and youngster Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggling.
“It hasn’t sunk in. I don’t think it will.” Thompson said. “The great and the bad part about it is you have a night like this, but tomorrow is a new day. You can’t be satisfied. Obviously, it’s a great achievement. You want to be happy for yourself. But at the same time, there’s more to do. We’re not where we want to be as a team and it’s my job to help us get there.”
-
Ep 42: Going Streaking, 84 Game Schedule, Ovechkin Watch, Holiday Funby Full Press Coverage on December 22, 2022 at 5:50 pm
In this episode, Jim and Chris talk notable point streaks in the NHL, the […]
-
Ep 41: Alex Ovechkin, Playoff Expansion, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on December 15, 2022 at 2:27 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss Alex Ovechkin's 800th goal, potential […]
-
Ep 40: Borje Salming Passing; Kris Letang, Roope Hintz, Top 5 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2022 at 12:45 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel are back for another edition of Full Press […]
-
Ep 39: The NHL Has A Problemby Full Press Coverage on November 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Mike and Jim are back to discuss all the latest from around the NHL.
-
New Jersey Devils and NHL Talkby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Vox NHL Analyst Bruce Zeman to discuss […]
-
The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucksby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down the mess […]
-
Ep 79: Bruins Are A Wagon, Pastrnak Contract, Krejci, Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on January 18, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Ian and Chris evaluate the red-hot Bruins halfway through the season. In […]
-
Ep 78: Mitchell Miller Fiasco Reaction; What Do The Bruins Do Next?by Full Press Coverage on November 7, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Mitchell Miller signing fiasco and discuss what […]
-
S4Ep18 - The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucks and What Is Nextby Jim Biringer on January 30, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey as he brings […]
-
S4Ep17 - Road Warriors - Devils, Kraken, Bruins, and Golden Knightsby Jim Biringer on January 24, 2023 at 7:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
Episode #126: Re-Ranking the Reign Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 8:28 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah have another trade […]
-
Episode #125: Rockford Offseason Makeover Successesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 5:04 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah discuss the news […]
Comments 1