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Buffalo Sabres: Tage has played way better than you think

By Sion Fawkes

Jan 3, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) after scoring a hat trick game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals in overtime at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) after scoring a hat trick game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals in overtime at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tage Thompson is quickly becoming the face of the Buffalo Sabres, and he is playing way better than anyone could have projected. 

Many Buffalo Sabres fans know how good Tage Thompson has been this season, given his 55 points, 30 goals, and 25 assists in 36 games. Currently on pace for 125 points, it is safe to say Tage will be in the discussion for the Hart Trophy if he keeps this up and if the Sabres sneak into the playoffs.

But you may not realize just how good Tage has played as we sit five games from the season’s halfway mark. Without further ado, let’s explore just how good the Blue and Gold’s star forward has looked.

Tage is why the Buffalo Sabres are the NHL’s highest-scoring team

So how good has Tage been? Check out the following statistics of where he ranks in the league.

  • Second in goals scored (30)
  • Tied for third in points (55)
  • Second in goals created (23.1)
  • Tied for seventh in even strength goals (16)
  • Tied for second in power play goals (13)
  • Tied for fifth in game-winning goals (5)
  • 18th in shooting percentage (19.0%)
  • First in hat tricks (3)
  • Second in goals per game (0.83)
  • Third in points per game (1.53)
  • Second in goals created per game (0.64)
  • Tied for eighth in total goals on-ice for (73)
  • Ninth in power play goals on-ice for (30)

Once again, Tage will compete for the Hart Trophy at season’s end if he stays healthy and keeps this pace up. And since the Buffalo Sabres are 12-4-2 since they snapped their eight-game losing streak nearly two months ago, it’s safe to assume that as this team gets better, Tage will keep getting better.

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I am looking for Tage to remain in the top tier in all of the above categories, and perhaps sneak into a few more like assists. Time will ultimately be the deciding factor, but the Sabres have a budding great in Tage Thompson.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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