Buffalo Sabres: Tage Thompson’s statement reveals the right mindset
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres have struggled through an ugly track record against the Boston Bruins recently, but that’s not getting Tage Thompson down.
When someone counts out Tage Thompson, he tends to prove them wrong. Just over two years ago, Tage looked like a formerly highly-touted prospect whose NHL career was about to be short-lived. Less than 12 months later, the player who became a star center for the Buffalo Sabres was signing a long-term deal.
Recently, Tage suffered what looked like a serious wrist/hand injury, only to make it back within a month. This week, Tage put in his two cents regarding the upcoming matchup between the Sabres and the Boston Bruins, a team that has gotten the best of the Blue and Gold 20 times in the past six seasons.
"“Anyone can win on any given night. It doesn’t matter what the record is in the past against them, or where the record is now. It’s a competitive league. That’s what it comes down to. And I think that has to be your mindset going into every game.”"
Source: Mike Harrington: It’s time for Sabres to show some backbone in disgraceful ‘rivalry’ with Bruins, Buffalo News
Buffalo Sabres center has the right approach heading into Thursday’s game
Tage Thompson is correct, as under two weeks ago, the Sabres skated into Madison Square Garden and shocked the New York Rangers in what was arguably their biggest win of the season. The Sabres, despite struggling in their four games since, have already proven to themselves and to the NHL that they can compete with and beat the best teams in the league.
They just have to play those teams the same way they played in the third period vs. the Detroit Red Wings this past Tuesday. Buffalo can repeat what they did on November 27th tonight, but the Blue and Gold need to prevent Boston from scoring early. The Sabres have given up not just an early goal often, but when they have, it also foreshadowed a second one shortly thereafter, forcing them to play from a multiple-goal deficit.
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Overall, every single member of the Buffalo Sabres must echo Tage’s comments and realize that, despite their poor recent history against the Bruins, they already know how to pull off major upsets on the road. Against New York, it comprised 60 minutes of hockey that saw them taking away passing and shooting lanes, and capitalizing on opportunities when given to them.