Tage Thompson Sends Powerful Message Amid Sabres’ Red-Hot Resurgence: “Stay Even-Keeled” As Buffalo Eyes Playoff Push

"Tage Thompson stresses staying grounded as Sabres ride the wave of their four-game win streak."

The Buffalo Sabres are showing signs of life after a rocky start to the 2025-26 season, having won four of their last five games following an 0-3 beginning. The team’s impressive turnaround has been fueled by strong performances across the lineup, with key contributions from their star players and a few unexpected heroes.

In their most recent victory, the Sabres beat the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3, improving their record to 4-4-0. Alex Lyon was solid in net, making 31 saves and playing a crucial role in the win. Despite the success,

Tage Thompson, one of the Sabres’ leading scorers, knows the importance of staying level-headed and keeping a steady approach.

“It’s a two-way street, right? Can’t get too down on ourselves when we’re 0-3, and we’re on a bit of a heater right now, can’t get too high and forget what made you successful,”

Thompson said after the game. “I think for us the message is staying even-keeled. Continue to do things that are a recipe for winning hockey. … Now we’re feeling it a little bit, so we’ve just got to ride that wave.”

The Sabres are certainly feeling the momentum, but Thompson and his teammates know that maintaining balance is key to continuing their success. Alongside Thompson’s steady offensive play, Mattias Samuelsson emerged as another standout performer in the victory over the Leafs, scoring twice, including the opening goal. Samuelsson, known for his defensive contributions, has been playing with newfound confidence.

“When you don’t have confidence and you’re out there every other night, it can be tough sometimes to kind of find it on the fly. And if you’re playing with just a little bit of swagger and confidence in yourself, it can go a long way,”

Samuelsson said, reflecting on his performance.

Buffalo’s recent success is not only about their star players but also about contributions from unexpected places. Lyon has been impressive, starting seven of the team’s eight games and posting a .922 save percentage. He’s also ranked fifth in the NHL for

Goals Saved Above Expected, according to Evolving Hockey, a critical stat for goaltenders.

The Sabres are firing on all cylinders, with contributions from players up and down the lineup.

Tuch, Dahlin, Lyon, and Samuelsson have all played critical roles in the team’s resurgence, showing that Buffalo is more balanced and ready to compete than many initially thought.

What’s Next?

The Sabres’ next stretch will feature six of their next 10 games on the road, including a rematch with the Maple Leafs in Toronto. They’ll also face off against

Washington Capitals and Utah Mammoth, both teams sporting impressive 6-2-0 records. With Thompson leading the way and the team finding their rhythm, Buffalo has a chance to build on their momentum and continue their climb back into playoff contention.

“We’re just staying focused and keeping it simple,” Thompson added. “There’s a lot of hockey left, but we like where we’re at right now.”

The Sabres are not only riding a wave of confidence but also keeping their eyes on the bigger picture: breaking their 14-season playoff drought. If they can keep playing like this, the postseason may be within reach.

Canadiens Coach Reacts to Patrik Laine’s Long-Term Injury: “A Huge Blow, But We’ll Adapt”

"Montreal faces tough road ahead as Laine is set to miss 3-4 months after surgery."

The

Montreal Canadiens have been hit with devastating news: Patrik Laine, the team's talented winger, will miss the next three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. This marks the second consecutive season that Laine’s campaign has been derailed by a significant injury, and the timing couldn’t be worse for both the player and the team.

Head Coach of the Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, reacted to the news with a mixture of frustration and resolve, acknowledging the loss but stressing the importance of adaptation. “Losing Patrik for an extended period of time is a huge blow for us. He’s a key player, and we’ll miss his offensive ability and leadership on the ice. But we’re a team, and we’ll have to adapt. Our focus now is on supporting Patrik through his recovery, and when he’s ready to return, we’ll be here to welcome him back. In the meantime, we need others to step up and help fill the gap,”

St. Louis said in his post-practice remarks.

This injury comes just as Laine was beginning to find his rhythm with the Canadiens, after a frustrating first season with the team. Last season, he missed significant time due to a preseason knee injury, and while he made a strong return, his performance waned in the latter part of the season and during the playoffs, where he was injured again in their series against

Washington.

While Laine was able to make it through training camp healthy, the current season has not been kind. He was already struggling with limited ice time, having been relegated to fourth-line minutes after starting on the second line. In just

five games, Laine managed only one assist and was averaging a career-low 12:36 in ice time. After seeking a second opinion, the severity of his injury was confirmed, leading to the surgery and subsequent long-term absence.

Laine's Determination to Return
Despite the setback, Laine remains determined to return stronger than ever. “It’s frustrating, of course, but I’m going to do everything I can to get back on the ice as soon as possible. I’ve been through injuries before, and I know the process. I’ll focus on my recovery, and when I’m healthy again, I’ll be ready to contribute to the team’s success. It’s not ideal, but I’m determined to come back stronger,”

Laine said.

The injury not only affects the Canadiens’ lineup but also Laine’s future. With this being a contract year, the long-term absence is expected to impact his value on the open market. Laine currently carries an

$8.7 million cap hit with Montreal, but missing more than half the season could push his hopes for a big payday out of reach. A one-year contract with performance incentives could be the best route for him, allowing him to prove his worth while minimizing risk for potential suitors.

Montreal’s Next Steps
For the Canadiens, the focus now shifts to the next man up. With Laine out for months, they’ll need other players to step up in his absence.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson will be counted on to contribute more offensively, and it’s a time for the team to rally together. With over $4 million

in cap space, the Canadiens may also look to add a piece through the trade market to fill the void left by Laine.

Despite the tough situation, St. Louis remains optimistic that the team can overcome this challenge:

“We’ve got a lot of depth, and this is where we see the character of the team. Everyone needs to elevate their game. We’ve dealt with adversity before, and we’ll do it again. The focus is on moving forward and making sure we stay competitive.”

As the season continues without one of their top players, the Canadiens will need to adapt quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive. Laine’s absence is significant, but his eventual return could provide the spark needed to push the team toward success.

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