Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Ryan McLeod each netted multiple goals in the Sabres’ dominant win over the Rangers on Saturday. However, all eyes are on Tage, especially after his role in last week’s 4 Nations Face-Off was reduced to emergency backup status.
Initially left off Team USA’s roster, Tage was only added as an injury replacement but never saw the ice, forced to watch as Team Canada claimed the tournament.
If his performance against the Rangers was any indication, though, he hasn’t lost his competitive fire. Tage was on fire, scoring twice and adding an assist in Buffalo’s six-goal victory, bringing his season total to 28 points.
Tage Thompson shows no signs of slowing down and is sending a message
For those who felt Tage got a raw deal, rest assured—he’s not slowing down just because the 4 Nations Face-Off is in the past or because the Sabres need a miracle to make the playoffs.
Buffalo is off to a solid start in their push, and they’ll need Tage’s heroics to stay in the fight until mid-April. So far, he’s delivering as expected. If he maintains this pace, he’s on track for 44 goals—just three shy of his breakout 47-goal season in 2022-23.
But if he keeps trending upward, don’t be surprised if he surpasses that mark. And if he does, it’ll be hard to leave him off any future national team, especially with his size, agility, and elite shot. If Team USA wants to avenge their loss to Canada, they might need him when the 2026 Winter Olympics roll around.
Could Tage have changed the outcome at the 4 Nations?
We’ll never know for sure, but with one of the hardest shots in the game and an elite reach, it’s safe to say Tage could have made an impact. His skill set alone would have given him an edge in a best-on-best tournament.
If he manages to earn a spot on Team USA for the 2026 Olympics, we’ll get a clearer answer—especially if he delivers a strong performance on the international stage. Until then, all we can do is speculate on what might have been.
What’s undeniable, though, is that Tage has been on fire since his 4 Nations Face-Off snub, racking up 28 goals and playing some of his best hockey. Whether intentional or not, Team USA’s general manager Bill Guerin may have just given him extra motivation. Now, we’ll see if that fire carries over when Olympic rosters are set—and whether Tage gets the chance to help redeem the Americans on the world stage.