Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores 5 goals vs. Blue Jackets: How star center is unlocking Buffalo’s potential

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson scored five goals in Wednesday’s 9-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here’s what you need to know:

• Thompson scored four goals in the first period in the span of 11:08, becoming the fourth player in NHL history to record four goals in the first period of a regular-season game.
• He also became the first player in franchise history with five points in a period, adding an assist on Dylan Cozens’ goal 3:21 into the game.
• His fifth goal came at the 16:07 mark of the second period to put Buffalo ahead 7-2.
• Wednesday’s performance marks the first five-goal game in the NHL since San Jose’s Timo Meier completed the feat last season. Meier’s was the first since Mika Zibanejad scored five goals for the Rangers in March 2020.

Backstory

Thompson, the No. 26 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, is coming off a breakout 2021-22 campaign. The 6-foot-7 center led the Sabres with 68 points in 78 games last season, recording 38 goals and 30 assists.

The 25-year-old now has 21 goals on the young 2022-23 season. Only Dallas’ Jason Robertson (23) and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (22) entered Wednesday with more.

Buffalo’s bet on Thompson paying off

Before the season, Thompson signed a seven-year, $50 million extension. He got that deal after a 38-goal season the year before, his first and only season of high-level production. The Sabres didn’t view it as an anomaly. They saw it as just the beginning. Their bet is paying off. This five-goal outburst is just the continuation of a ridiculous start to the season for Thompson. This was the second time he had six points in a game this season. He also became the first Sabre since Dave Andreychuk to have five goals in a single game. Thompson has 21 goals and 40 points in 26 games, putting him on pace for 66 goals and 126 points. — Fairburn

What’s special about Thompson’s game?

The most impressive part about Thompson’s game is that he’s able to score in a variety of ways. As former Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said on the TNT broadcast Wednesday, “He can score from all over the ice.” Thompson showed that in this game.

He showed he can rip a slapshot on a one-timer, making him a dynamic threat on the power play. But the way he handles the puck at six-feet-seven-inches tall makes him a unique threat around the net. To put it in perspective, he’s already the sixth-highest-scoring forward six-foot-six or taller in NHL history. Thompson is a player unlike many we’ve seen in NHL history. — Fairburn

Thompson unlocking Sabres’ potential

Sabres coach Don Granato has known Thompson since he coached him at the development program. He’s seen him grow into his massive frame and seen the tireless work he’s put in to become an elite NHL goal scorer. Granato said at some point last season he had to tell Thompson that his time to become a goal scorer had arrived. It was no longer off in the future. When Granato moved Thompson to center, he unlocked his scoring potential. Thompson’s scoring is starting to unlock Buffalo’s potential as a team.

“We have a fun group,” Thompson said this week. “Everyone in here loves hockey and loves being together all the time. I’m excited. We’re not where we want to be yet. I think everyone knows that. We will get there. We’ll have a lot fun doing it. And when we do get there we’re going to be very dangerous.” — Fairburn

Highlight reel

Tommer had a HATTY.

IN THE FIRST PERIOD.

And that wasn't all… pic.twitter.com/20YfjV2wkA

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 8, 2022

And then came Tage Thompson's FOURTH OF THE PERIOD ???? pic.twitter.com/zUNSra2Wpi

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 8, 2022

Tage Thompson is only the second Sabres player to record five goals in a single game…

???? Dave Andreychuk: February 6, 1986???? Tage Thompson: December 7, 2022#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/H8yESevZcH

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 8, 2022

Required reading

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / USA Today)