BUFFALO, N.Y. — After discovering themselves in one more first-period gap, Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres determined to cease digging this time.
By rallying from a 2-0 deficit in a 5-2 win over the Devils on Friday night time, the Sabres additionally put a dent in New Jersey’s late-season playoff push.
Thompson capped a pure hat trick by scoring the go-ahead objective with 4:34 remaining and added an empty-netter, the second time he is scored 4 or extra objectives in his profession.
The Sabres bounced again from a 6-2 loss in opposition to Ottawa on Wednesday in an outing Buffalo trailed 5-0 after 20 minutes.
“Sort of get off to an analogous begin, down two, and it could have been straightforward to sort of simply fold the tent and pack it in,” stated Thompson, who’s now tied with JJ Peterka for the workforce lead with 26 objectives. “I assumed we responded the suitable means. I feel that claims so much in regards to the character within the room and the fellows we have got right here.”
Peterka, along with his fifth objective in 4 video games, additionally scored an empty-net objective. Alex Tuch had two assists to increase his level streak to seven video games (one objective, 9 assists). Devon Levi stopped 28 photographs.
The loss left the Devils 5 factors behind the Washington Capitals, who maintain the Jap Convention’s eighth and last playoff spot. New Jersey misplaced for simply the third time this season — 16-2-1 — when main after one interval.
“Simply one other immature efficiency by us,” Devils captain Nico Hischier stated. “We all know that was a recreation we should always have taken benefit. I do not assume there are any excuses. I feel if you happen to have a look at the sport, we have simply acquired to discover a solution to win in opposition to sure groups and we’ve not completed that every one 12 months. It mustn’t occur.”
Max Willman and Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils, who blew an opportunity to win three straight for simply the fifth time this season. Jake Allen stopped 31 photographs in dropping to 4-3 since being acquired in a commerce with Montreal.
Buffalo, in the meantime, stayed mathematically within the race by transferring into twelfth within the East, a degree a forward of Pittsburgh, and 6 behind the Capitals.
After scoring twice within the second interval, Thompson accomplished his sixth-career three-or-more-goal outing by batting down Rasmus Dahlin’s shot from the left level. The puck dribbled underneath Allen, and Thompson used his prolonged attain to brush the puck in behind the goalie.
“Tonight it was will and drive,” coach Don Granato stated of his workforce’s response, earlier than praising Thompson for lifting the workforce. “It is a handful once you’re the opposition and he is going like that.”
Thompson’s surge started after Willman’s and Bratt’s objectives deflected in off Sabres gamers in staking the Devils to a 2-0 lead 10:31 into the primary interval.
Thompson responded by scoring 28 seconds into the second interval off Timo Meier’s turnover within the impartial zone. He then tied it with 2:31 left into the interval after being arrange within the center by Tuch, who compelled John Marino to cough up the puck on the left boards.
Luke Hughes’ help on Willman’s objective was the rookie defenseman’s forty first level of the season. He now ranks third on the workforce’s rookie checklist, one level forward of Scott Niedermayer and one behind Viacheslav Fetisov. Will Butcher holds the document with 44 factors in 2017-18.
UP NEXT
Devils: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night time.
Sabres: Host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night time.
