Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson was named the National Hockey League’s First Star of the Week, the league announced Monday, after leading all players in scoring.
The Sabres’ alternate captain topped all NHL skaters with nine points, scoring three goals and adding six assists as Buffalo posted a 2-1-1 record during an important week on the schedule. Thompson’s biggest night came Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, when he notched his ninth career hat trick and added two helpers in a 5-3 victory. The five-point performance marked the third such game of his career and pushed him past multiple milestones, including goals No. 199, 200, and 201.
At 28 years old, Thompson has now earned Star of the Week honors four times in his NHL career, all previously as a Second Star during multiple seasons.
His recent surge extends beyond just one week. Thompson enters the new week riding a seven-game point streak, totaling five goals and eight assists over that span. His 25 goals rank tied for seventh in the league, while his 21 even-strength tallies trail only Nathan MacKinnon.
Thompson, who is expected to represent United States men’s national ice hockey team at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, is on pace for 43 goals this season.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].