The Buffalo Sabres are gearing up to hit the ice again after the Olympic break, facing off against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. The big question on every Sabres fan's mind is whether Tage Thompson will be in the lineup.
Fresh off a gold medal victory with Team USA over Canada, Thompson's been on a whirlwind tour. He celebrated with his teammates in Miami on Monday and was spotted at the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. It's a tight schedule, but a direct trip to New Jersey from D.C. isn't out of the question.
As of now, Thompson's status for the game remains up in the air. According to Sabres insider Matthew Fairburn, Thompson has made it to New Jersey but wasn't expected at the morning skate. We'll have to wait for head coach Lindy Ruff's update to see if he'll suit up against the Devils.
Ruff mentioned that Thompson's availability hinges on how he's feeling after the intense Olympic run and subsequent travel. With a lighthearted nod to the team's celebrations, Ruff quipped about the readiness of his players post-celebration.
Thompson is a pivotal player for Buffalo, especially as they aim to break their 14-year playoff drought. While his return is eagerly anticipated, whether he hits the ice on Wednesday will likely be a game-time decision. Stay tuned for updates as the Sabres look to make a strong post-Olympic push.