Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres returned to practice on Tuesday after having a 10-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Tage Thompson is back, and says he’s refreshed physically and mentally to do everything he can to help get the team on a run.
Many felt Thompson should’ve been picked for Team USA, as he was second amongst Americans when the team was picked with 15 goals. He’s now the third-leading American goal scorer with 26, trailing Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel by one and Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor by four.
Both Guentzel and Connor are on the Team USA roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Thompson has really enjoyed the tournament, but it was a little harder to watch knowing he was left off the team.
"It's tough. You want to be there representing your country and playing in those types of games, but it’s out of my control," said Thompson following Tuesday's practice. "A lot of the guys there, rooting for them, wishing them all the best. Hopefully they get the job done."
Even though he’s not in Boston and wasn’t in Montreal, that doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the action.
"I’ve been watching all the games, and I thought the U.S.-Canada game was awesome," Thompson said. "If you’re not a hockey fan, that will instantly get you hooked. I was sitting there wishing I was there, and it was probably an unreal atmosphere. I think everyone is excited for the match on Thursday."
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Thompson knows he’s on the cusp of being on Team USA, and has even more motivation now with the Winter Olympics coming up next year in Italy.
"The 4 Nations and the Olympics are goals of mine that I want to achieve, and be a part of those rosters. I think not being selected for 4 Nations gives me a little bit of that hunger and chip on my shoulder to prove something moving forward," Thompson acknowledged. "But those things will take care of themselves, as long as you’re doing the right things to help your team win here, which is the main focus."
Since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Thompson is second in U.S. goal scoring with 102 goals.
Thompson knows for the rest of the season, they must focus on the process of how they play. They have to play the game the way head coach Lindy Ruff wants them to on a nightly basis, because when they do, they tend to be a very good team.
Ruff has set some goals for the final 28 games, as he’s researched what it might take to sneak into the playoffs.
"We discussed that this morning and really tried to turn this into our playoffs, where we break it down to every five games and get a minimum of seven points (out of 10) every five games, which would put us at 84 with three games left, and then win those three games and get you to 90," Ruff explained after practice. "I know it’s hard, I know it’s a difficult task, but I think you have to set goals and make this your playoff push."
Last season, the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings tied for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 91 points. The season before, the Sabres had 91 points, but the Florida Panthers got the final spot with 92 points.
The three Sabres that played in the 4 Nations Face-Off were not at practice on Tuesday, and are not required to be there until Thursday. Those players are Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Ruff says winger Beck Malenstyn skated on his own on Tuesday, as he's recovering from back spasms. The plan is for him to practice with the team on Wednesday.
As for defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, he says he broke a bone in his foot blocking a shot on Feb. 2 against the New Jersey Devils. He was back at practice after missing two games, and will be ready to return Saturday.
TUESDAY’S LINES:
Greenway – Cozens - Quinn
Benson – Krebs - Lafferty
Peterka – Kulich - Thompson
Zucker – McLeod - Tuch