Forward Tage Thompson is out for an unspecified time after some bad luck against the Boston Bruins.
Tage Thompson Injured
Thompson had a busy game against the Bruins. He got tangled up with Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy early, getting to the bench with some difficulty. He returned to play to open the second period, shaking off that injury.
According to coach Don Granato, Thompson received a cut during the play, though that’s not what’s keeping him off the ice.
Killing off a penalty in the second, Thompson blocked a shot – also from McAvoy – with his wrist. That ended his night, leaving the game having played just 5:38. Not good news for a team that’s already missed Jack Quinn all season and Alex Tuch and Zach Benson recently.
While Tuch and Benson are possible to return by the weekend, there are no guarantees. On the plus side, the Sabres next play on Friday, giving them a few more days recovery time.
What This Means
The Buffalo Sabres have finished out of the playoffs for 12 consecutive years. After missing the mark by a single point last season, they know painfully well how much every game matters.
Right now, their record is 7-8-1 and one point out of a playoff spot. It’s early in the season, so it’s not just one point but also five teams to leapfrog. There is plenty of time to make up ground, but it’s also much further away than it looks.
That being said, they won’t want to play short-handed. There are a couple of options in the AHL that can be called up. The first is Brandon Biro, who has already played two NHL games this year. Both were against the Philadelphia Flyers, but that counts.
Jiri Kulich has also had a very strong start to the year in the AHL. The Sabres are due for some injury luck, so any call-ups will be just a couple of games and no longer. Rewarding a youngster like Kulich is a fine treat and a hint of the future.
The Sabres are on the edge of breaking through as a power in the East. Using the opportunity to make their prospects hungry to be a part of it is making lemonade of a ridiculous injury streak.
Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
