The Buffalo Sabres went 1-1-1 this last week as they stumbled, losing in overtime with one regulation defeat before finally getting back on track last night with a win against Seattle, albeit in a shootout when they had to come from two goals down.
Honorable Mentions
Jason Zucker
In a low-scoring week for the Sabres, Zucker gets the shout for doing what he has done best this season, score power play goals. He had two with the man advantage this week with Buffalo only scoring seven goals in all, both coming against the Bruins midweek.
Ukko Pekka Luukkonen
UPL continues to find himself in this weekly column as he maintains his high level of goaltending. He had dropped to a sub .900 level in the overtime defeat against the Bruins but got right back on the wagon making timely saves to lead the Sabres to a win over the Kraken. Can you believe he is yet to concede a goal in the shootout this season? He is a perfect 7 for 7 while Alex Lyon is 6/7 and Colten Ellis is 2/4.
Player of the Week
This week’s award goes to the Sabres leading scoring weapon Tage Thompson.
The forward logged 1G and 3A with no other Sabres scoring more than two points, and three of those four points came on the power play. He’s at 76 points for the season, above a point-per-game pace and is staying hot at a time when quite a few of his teammates are seemingly off the boil.
After a four-game scoreless spell in the middle of March, he’s gone back to his scoring ways with three goals and three assists in the last six games. Game situation has dictated how many minutes he’s playing on any given night, going 16:50 against the San Jose Sharks and then 24:21 against the Seattle Kraken last night. Keeping him fresh and primed will be important for the playoffs.