Thompson Scores Power Play Goal in Sabres Loss to Utah

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson scored a power-play goal during Saturday's 4-1 loss to Utah, providing Buffalo's only goal at KeyBank Arena as he continued his productive start to the 2026-27 NHL season.

According to CBS Sports, Thompson recorded six shots on net and two penalty minutes in the defeat. His goal came after he carried the puck from end to end before beating Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka on the near side.

The 28-year-old Thompson has three goals, five points and a league-leading 29 shots on net through five games, according to CBS Sports. The forward is averaging nearly six shots on goal per game during the opening stretch.

CBS Sports reported that Thompson is positioned to challenge for more than 40 goals for the third consecutive season in the 2026-27 campaign after his strong offensive start.

Utah's victory was part of a recent stretch involving several NHL teams, while Buffalo prepared for another matchup against Florida. Covers reported that the Sabres faced the Panthers on Oct. 12 at KeyBank Arena in Buffalo.

Covers also reported that Buffalo's power play entered the matchup against Florida seeking improvement, with the Panthers noted as a team that had spent significant time shorthanded early in the season.

The Minnesota Wild's top line also received attention from Covers after a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday. The trio of Matthew Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and teammates combined for seven points and contributed to all four Wild goals in that victory.

According to Covers, Minnesota had scored on the power play in every game to start the season and ranked second in the NHL with a 37.5 percent power-play percentage at that point.