Thompson is on standby as an emergency injury replacement for Team USA in the 4 Nations championship game against Canada.

Tage Thompson watched the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game from the press box in Boston's TD Garden as Connor McDavid scored the game-winning goal for Canada. The experience was a reminder of how badly Thompson wants to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

While underscoring how disappointing the season has been, the Sabres spinned the positives and pitched the long view.

The Sabres are 0-2-0 so far this season against the Canadiens, who opened the season series with a back-and-forth 7-5 win at KeyBank Center on Nov. 11. In the rematch at Bell Centre on Dec. 17, Patrik Laine’s three power-play goals helped fuel the Canadiens to a 6-1 victory.

The Sabres need to move pieces at the NHL trade deadline and have very distinct dream and nightmare scenarios.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Sabres (23-27-5) surged to a 5-0 lead in the first period, securing their fifth win in six games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen contributed 26 saves, while Ryan McLeod added two goals and Jason Zucker notched three assists.

Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson had two goals and an assist each as the host Buffalo Sabres crushed the New York Rangers 8-2 on Saturday.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a win over the New York Rangers where it scored a season-high eight goals. Buffalo hosts the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET. How to watch: Sabres vs. Rangers airs locally on MSG, it can be streamed on ESPN+. Time: 7 p.m. ET