Tage Thompson continued his goal-scoring tear, scoring twice in the Sabres’ 3–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Sabres’ West Coast swing was a successful one: they earned all six available points. Strong goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and a resurgent power play were key factors, along with Thompson’s offensive outburst. He has scored five goals in his last two games.
However, another Buffalo forward on a hot streak got the Sabres started. Jack Quinn scored his eighth goal of the season—and his third in four games—at 6:35 of the first period. Quinn danced in from the side wall to the slot and fired the puck past Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg to make it 1–0.
Thompson doubled Buffalo’s lead with a shot from the faceoff circle that beat Forsberg at 15:38 of the second period.
The Kings responded less than two minutes later on the power play. Trevor Moore fired a shot toward the net that deflected off Corey Perry’s skate and past Luukkonen. The goal was initially waved off because the referee believed Perry had kicked the puck in, but it was awarded after review. Perry received credit for his first goal of the season, cutting the Sabres’ lead to 2–1.
The Kings tied the game early in the third period. Andre Lee camped out in front of the net and tipped in a pass from Scott Laughton, making it 2–2.
Later in the period, with the Sabres on the power play, Thompson scored his second goal of the game. He one-timed a pass from Quinn past Forsberg at 13:40.
That proved to be the difference, as Buffalo held on for the 3–2 victory.
Next, the Sabres return home to face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
