Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - While their 10-game winning streak was fun while it lasted, the Buffalo Sabres will need a response after a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, their first loss on the schedule since Dec. 8.
Buffalo's hot streak came at a perfect time after a pretty bleak start to the season, where they had to cover a lot of ground to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference.
Ahead of Tuesday night's matchup with the Vancouver Canucks at KeyBank Center, Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson is now focusing on whether or not this team can keep up with the style of play exhibited during the 10-game winning streak.
"We dug ourselves out a pretty big hole," said Thompson on Tuesday during an appearance on the "Jeremy and Joe Show" on WGR. "I think everyone knows how tight our division is, so every point means something right now. That run got us into a pretty good spot. Obviously, we knew it was going to come to an end at some point, so now it's how quickly can we respond from that loss in Columbus, and make sure we keep it going and continue to play the brand of hockey we were during the 10-game win streak."
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Meanwhile, Thompson is also preparing for some significant hockey next month after he was named to the U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
While Thompson is honored to represent the United States in the Winter Olympics this February, he admits the selection process was in the back of his mind earlier this season, making it a difficult balancing act between the NHL results and personal achievements.
"Every single game you play, you’re just trying not to make mistakes that are going to cost your team a loss," Thompson said with Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase. "At the same time, you’re thinking, 'Is this going to cost my chances to make the team?"
Thompson says it was a huge relief to get the call, which he says mentally freed him from the stress he had felt all season.
"When I got the call, it was just a freeing moment," he said. "I could take the weight off my shoulders and just go out there and play."
The one thing Thompson will be looking forward to at the Olympics is running into other teammates like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Finland) and Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden).
"It'll be a little awkward playing on the other side of them, but it'll be fun," Thompson said. "I'm ready for some battles with 'Dahls' in the corner, and hopefully I can light 'Upie' up a little bit."
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