Thompson's Hat Trick Powers Sabres to Thrilling 7-6 Win Over Ducks

Thompson Delivers in High-Scoring Clash

Tage Thompson was the driving force behind the Buffalo Sabres' 7-6 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Playing at Honda Center before a crowd of 15,575, the visiting Sabres relied on Thompson's offensive explosion to secure the win. The forward recorded a hat trick, tallying three goals and two assists for a total of five points.

His performance was central to the Sabres' ability to overcome an early deficit and eventually pull away in the second period.

Sabres Strike Back After Slow Start

The Ducks, playing at home, opened the scoring with Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier finding the back of the net in the first period. However, Buffalo responded quickly. Tyson Kozak, Roger McQueen, Noah Ostlund, and Thompson all scored in the opening frame to tie the game at 3-3.

The momentum shifted decisively in the second period, where Thompson scored twice in quick succession to put Buffalo ahead 5-3. Jack Quinn and Zach Benson added goals in the third period, extending the Sabres' lead to 7-3.

Ducks Mount Late Rally

Anaheim refused to fold in the final period, launching a spirited comeback attempt. Cutter Gauthier, who had already scored in the first, added his second goal of the game to cut the deficit. Tristan Luneau and Beckett Sennecke followed with consecutive goals, bringing the Ducks within one at 7-6.

Despite the late surge, the Sabres held on to preserve their lead. Leo Carlsson was the top assist man for Anaheim with three helpers, while Peyton Krebs matched that number for Buffalo with three assists.

Records and Standings

The result improves the Buffalo Sabres' record to 6-4-3, giving them 15 points. The Anaheim Ducks drop to 5-7-1 on the season with 11 points. The game featured intense back-and-forth action, with the final score reflecting the competitive nature of the matchup. Thompson's five-point performance stands out as the key statistical difference in a game where both teams combined for 13 goals.

Sources

ESPN