Shutdown Pair

Tag: Tage Thompson

  • Game Seven

    Game Seven

    I’m still sweating, and I watched it sitting in my chair at home.

    They did this in the second finally

    — TheTickMS (@thetickms.bsky.social) 2026-05-17T02:02:19.842Z

    And it continued on in the third, for a EIGHT TO THREE WIN. It started like pretty much every other game this series, with a quick goal by Buffalo (Rasmus Dahlin with a nifty drive the net after being fed by new first-liner Benson)…followed by three Canadiens goals including a shorty.

    However, old man Zucker got one back late in the first after Alex Lyon got chased (the three Montreal goals were scored on gettable shots), and the entire second period was played in the Habs end. Zach Benson tied the game, picking up a loose puck that slipped through the five hole of Dobeš. Konsta Helenius scored to make it 5-3 Buffalo after some hard work by Zucker (and a sharp pass).

    The scoring continued in the third, with Tage Thompson feeding Jack Quinn for a one-timer snipe that chased the Montreal goalie. Tage followed that with an empty-netter, and Zach Metsa (who was great in his first-ever playoff game) got the eighth goal on a late power play when the team was just trying to run out the clock.

    The rough stuff started after that, with Montreal having no answers for the Sabres in regular play. Arber Xhekaj, Alexandre Carrier, Jake Evans, and Kirby Dach all got misconducts (Xhekaj has been pissed at Greenway since game 2 warmups) while Benson, Krebs, and Norris got to hit the showers early on the Buffalo side.

    Game seven is Monday night. One game to keep a remarkable run going.

    Zach Benson hyping up the boys for the third

    — TheTickMS (@thetickms.bsky.social) 2026-05-17T02:09:38.695Z
  • A Tale of Two Teams

    A Tale of Two Teams

    Watching the game last night (and to an extent every game in this series) it felt like I was seeing two different Buffalo team. The one that started periods was dominant. They skated circles around the Canadiens, scoring goals and hemming them into their own end for multiple shifts. Then the Bad Sabres emerged, making dumb passes, skipping decent shot chances for a fancy pass, and otherwise making stupid decisions.

    I’m not sure what’s wrong with the first line. Alex Tuch has caught whatever Tage and Quinn have and all three were useless most of the night. Quinn in particular seems to be squeezing the stick, getting the puck multiple times in the slot and just, not shooting. Thompson took a stupid penalty away from the play which led to a Montreal power play goal 10 seconds later.

    Bright spots continue to be the Benson/Doan/Norris line, with Doan scoring on a deflection in front. Zucker had the first goal, and young Konsta Helenius continued is excellent play from last game with the Sabres third and final goal.

    Buffalo travels to Montreal tomorrow. I believe that with a few tweaks, they can push it to game seven. I’m planning to go to the watch part at KBC, I hope to see you all there!

  • Double Trouble

    Double Trouble

    The game started exactly how you’d want – Tage Thompson getting a goal, tapping in a shot/pass from Dahlin. That was the last time Buffalo looked decent (other than some saves from Lyon) until the third period as the Canadiens scored 4 unanswered en route to a 6-2 win. Dahlin had the other Sabres goal to briefly make things interesting at the end of the second on into the third.

    Beyond Tage and Dahlin showing up for work, there weren’t a ton of bright spots out there. Benson was still a pest and created some great chances, Dahlin’s goal was on the power play, which looked like an actual functioning unit for a stretch of the third.

    I’m curious to see what changes are made, if any. I don’t think Lyon was a problem, he made some monster saves despite the goals but I would understand if a shakeup happens. Logan Stanley was in full oaf mode (derogatory):

    For the love of GOD Stanley do not get behind the Canadiens net!!!

    — TheTickMS (@thetickms.bsky.social) 2026-05-11T01:27:13.065Z

    If there is one guy who shouldn’t be in deep in the offensive zone, it’s the giant lumbering defenseman who skates about as fast as I walk. Carrick was back, Zucker seemed to be limited – I haven’t seen anything from Lindy as I write this, but he took shifts through the whole game, just not many), Quinn was still rough, so there’s room for shuffling.

    It’s okay to be worried, but most playoff series aren’t cakewalks. Montreal beat Tampa Bay to get here, they’ve got their guys too. I’ll let Dubs finish it off:

    This is still fun as balls, don’t let yourself be convinced it’s not. Let the players worry about the loss, crack another beer and get ready to drown yourself in work tomorrow and Tuesday so the clock moves faster.

    — Matty Dubs (@theycallmedubs.bsky.social) 2026-05-11T02:07:06.062Z

    See you Tuesday.

  • Sabres Lay an Egg

    Sabres Lay an Egg

    The Buffalo Sabres lines (other than the 3rd one) looked absolutely lost as they dropped game two 5-1. Tage in particular seems barely functional as a human being, let alone a 40 goal scorer. Zach Benson was the lone bright spot and goal scorer for the good guys, working his ass off behind the net and then moving to the front for a tap in after.

    Benson mean mugging Dobes

    Benson about to say something ridiculous

    Tage Thompson was an absolute nightmare tonight. He fell multiple times, leading directly to goals. He passed when he should’ve shot, and never seemed to be in the right spot. I said during the game on Bluesky that if that had been Vanek back in the old days, Lindy would’ve put his ass on the 4th line. The old timer may be hoping he’ll play his way out of it but I don’t think the Sabres survive to the conference finals if Tage plays like that.

    Sorry they wasted your goal, Benny. Sunday, 7pm, these dipshits better be ready to do what they did in Boston.

  • Never a Doubt

    Never a Doubt

    4-3 Buffalo. Tonight’s game, even with the stressful first two periods, just proves to me that playoff hockey is the best playoffs in North American professional sports. The hitting, the gutsy plays, crazy goalie saves, all of that just drives the energy off the charts. And not just in Buffalo, it’s been electric in every game I’ve watched this weekend.

    shirtless and rowdy in this btw

    — victoria zeller⚔️ (buy ONE OF THE BOYS) (@dirtbagqueer.rocks) 2026-04-20T02:48:59.466Z

    Tage Thompson scored twice, and Mattias Samuelsson and Alex Tuch each had 1.

    Game 2 on Tuesday. Rest up.

  • Sabres Survive Islanders

    Sabres Survive Islanders

    The Islanders score a late goal to pull within one after giving up an empty-netter, but don’t have enough to beat the Sabres in regulation. Buffalo gets goals from Jack Quinn, Tage Thompson, Peyton Krebs (pictured) and a 198 footer from Bowen Byram into the empty net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made some dynamite saves, and one of the Islander goals came on a bad angle shot that went in off of Owen Power.

    One worrying injury as Sam Carrick left the game after a fight with Anders Lee. Carrick was thrown down to the ice and immediately clutched his arm/shoulder. He was stepping up to get some payback on Lee after the Islander knocked Norris into the boards, but may have paid the price. Hopefully he’s okay, and Buffalo does have the depth if he’s out for a bit.

    It wasn’t 100% back to form but I felt like this was a much better game from the Sabres. They were right on the Isles forwards in the defensive zone and were constant pests on the forecheck. They didn’t make a *ton* of mistakes playing the puck, which was the issue during the losses they had recently. Even when it was tied, I never thought they’d lose.

    One. Hundred. Points. Hell yeah. Buffalo’s back in action Thursday night in Ottawa taking on the Senators.