Buffalo N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were back on home ice for the first time in a week to take on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final time this season. The Sabres were coming home on a bit of a hot streak after winning four of their last five games.
Buffalo started off strong with a first period tally from Tage Thompson, which was answered by Sidney Crosby early in the second period, tying things at 1-1. Zemgus Girgensons scored his first goal since returning from injury, making it 2-1, Sabres, but the Penguins answered again to tie things up heading to the third period.
Thompson netted his second goal of the game very early on in the final 20 minutes of regulation, but the Penguins tied it up again later on, forcing overtime and eventually a shootout. Thompson scored in the first round for the Sabres, with Alex Tuch icing the game with a goal as the first shooter of the third round.
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After going toe-to-toe with one of the hottest teams in hockey, the Sabres found themselves victorious once again.
Here are this game's three observations:
1.) Tage Thompson: Man on a mission
The 24-year-old forward has had quite an amazing season, and it just keeps getting better.
Thompson netted two more goals in this contest, as well as the game-winning tally in the shootout. His two goals bring his 2021-22 season total up to 27, which blows away any previous goal total he had in the league. He’s found a new home as a center on this hockey team, and has been exceptional in his new elevated role.
Thompson has also shown incredible chemistry with fellow young players like Peyton Krebs and Dylan Cozens. With six points in the last five games, he’s been a big part of why the Sabres have won three games in a row for the first time since the beginning of the season.
2.) Regaining leads
In Sunday's overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks, the Sabres surrendered two one-goal leads throughout the game, but held on to win the game.
Buffalo surrendered three one-goal leads throughout Wednesday night's game, but still managed to hold on to win in a shootout.
At first glance, this appears to be the same story, different game situation for the team. However both games saw the Sabres come back and re-gain the lead and never came out on the losing side. Buffalo has struggled all season hanging on to leads and re-establishing them when they disappear, but so far in March, the team seems to have learned their lesson.
3.) Staying strong
Over the past few weeks, Buffalo has faced some of the best opponents in the league. The Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins. these teams are all perennial playoff contenders in the league.
While the Sabres did lose a few of these games, they have outperformed some of the other top teams in the league consistently.
In the month of March, the Sabres have a record of 7-3 in 10 games with 28 goals scored in that span. The team has held their ground against 10 teams who are in the top half of the league. It's definitely been a confidence-booster for them that has translated to their play on the ice.
This team is showing they have something to prove, and they’re not going down without a fight in the future.
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The Sabres are back in action on home ice on Friday against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center. Pregame coverage on WGR starts with Schopp and Bulldog at 6 p.m. ET, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. EST on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
