Buffalo Sabres star center Tage Thompson left tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins with an apparent upper-body injury. It was eventful night for the 26-year-old as at one point it did look like he could leave the game with a lower-body injury after he was involved in a collision with Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Thompson returned to the game at the start of the second period but left towards the end of the period with what could be a wrist injury.
Thompson took a shot to the wrist from McAvoy and appeared in discomfort on the Sabres bench immediately after. A short time later the Sabres made the official announcement that Thompson would not return.
If Thompson is out for any length of time it could become a big issue for the Sabres who sit seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 7-8-1 record. The native of Phoenix, Arizona opened the season with massive expectations after exploding last year for 47 goals in 78 games. This came on the heels of a 38-goal campaign in 2021-22 in which Thompson came out of nowhere to eclipse career highs in nearly every statistical category.
Thompson has been okay to start the year with six goals and six assists in 16 games but will probably need to find another gear if the Sabres are going to find themselves in the playoff hunt come Spring 2024. Many expected Buffalo to challenge for a playoff spot this year, but the competitiveness in the Eastern Conference could push the Sabres out of the playoff picture sooner than expected, particularly if Thompson is sidelined for any length of time.
Cheap Shot Charlie strikes again. Hopefully somebody will end him. Apparently the League could care less.
Haven’t seen the plays, but the reported injury occurred after blocking a shot. How is that a “cheap shot”?
Not a fan of either team and have not seen either instances. No dice in this game. He caught a 4 gamer for a much deserved head shot earlier this season…
What game were you watching?? It was a harmless play, no cheap shot at all
Well if you can read it says he left the game with a lower body injury after a collision with Cheap Shot Charlie. Funny how guys just seem to get injured after a collision with CSC. The wrist came before I guess and he kept playing.
If you continued to read you would see he returned to the game and then left after blocking a shot from McAvoy.
Granato announced that Tage is likely looking at a long-term absence.
Well, if that’s a broken wrist, we know where Patrick Kane is going….
I thought Patrick wanted to be on a playoff team?