The Buffalo Sabres are rolling-and Thursday night’s win over the Montreal Canadiens might just be the most telling yet. After knocking off the Flyers to extend their torrid stretch to 14 wins in 16 games, the Sabres stepped into a matchup that felt bigger than the standings.
It was a night of celebration, with the franchise honoring the 2005-06 team and announcing that Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek would be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. But the current squad made sure the spotlight stayed on the present, putting together a thrilling 5-3 win and grabbing hold of the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tage Thompson: Dominant Doesn’t Even Begin to Cover It
Let’s not overthink this-Tage Thompson was on another level. Coming into the game, he’d already been heating up, with seven points in his last six games.
But what he did against Montreal? That was something else entirely.
Thompson didn’t just fill the stat sheet-he owned it. A hat trick, two assists, and a hand in every single Sabres goal.
This wasn’t just a great performance; this was arguably the best game of his career. His shot was lethal, his vision was elite, and the chemistry with Josh Doan was electric from puck drop to final horn.
Now sitting at 25 goals and 49 points through 46 games, Thompson looks like he’s found yet another gear. When he’s playing like this, he’s not just one of the most dangerous scorers in the league-he’s also one of the most entertaining players to watch. Thursday night, he was in full command, dictating pace, space, and momentum every time he touched the puck.
Power Play Starting to Click at the Right Time
For most of the season, the Sabres’ power play has been more of a missed opportunity than a weapon. Heading into the Flyers game, they’d cashed in just once on their last 21 chances. But something’s changed in the last two games, and it’s starting to show up on the scoreboard.
Against Philadelphia, they went 2-for-6 with the man advantage. On Thursday, they were even sharper, going 2-for-4 against a young and scrappy Canadiens penalty kill. Once again, it was Thompson and Doan leading the way-each notching a power play goal and continuing to build on their growing chemistry.
What makes this stretch so impressive is that the Sabres have been stacking wins even while the power play was sputtering. If this unit starts converting consistently, it could be a game-changer-especially in tight, playoff-style games where special teams often make the difference.
Josh Doan Trade Looking Like a Franchise-Changer
What started as a deal centered around J.J. Peterka has turned into something far more significant for Buffalo.
On paper, Peterka and Doan are neck-and-neck-15 goals and 34 points for Doan, 16 and 32 for Peterka. But the impact goes well beyond the numbers.
Doan has brought a different edge to the Sabres’ lineup. He’s a relentless forechecker, a puck-hawk who’s already created multiple scoring chances just by stripping defenders and making plays out of nothing. His motor doesn’t stop, and that energy has been contagious-especially for Thompson, who looks even more dangerous with Doan on his wing.
And here’s the kicker: Michael Kesselring, the other piece in the trade and once considered the key asset, has barely played due to injury. Yet the deal is already paying off in a big way.
If Kesselring adds anything down the stretch, it’s icing on the cake. Right now, Doan alone is making this trade look like one of the best in recent Sabres memory.
A Statement Win, But the Work Isn’t Done
Thursday’s win wasn’t just about climbing into playoff position-it was about showing they belong there. The Canadiens may be young, but they’re fast, physical, and don’t go away easily. The Sabres matched that energy and then some, especially in the third period, where they played some of their sharpest hockey of the season.
But the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. The Sabres wrap up their homestand with a Saturday matinee against the Minnesota Wild before heading out for a tough stretch that includes stops in Carolina, Nashville, Montreal, Long Island, and Toronto.
These next six games will be telling. If Buffalo can come away with points in four of them, they’ll be in a strong position to solidify their playoff push. The margin for error is slim, but the momentum is real-and if Thompson, Doan, and the power play keep clicking, this team is going to be a tough out the rest of the way.
For now, though, it’s safe to say: the Sabres are back in the fight, and they’re doing it with swagger.