“Took It To Them All Game” | Tage Thompson After Buffalo Sabres Defeat Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3

“Took It To Them All Game” | Tage Thompson After Buffalo Sabres Defeat Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3

good. I mean, I don’t think we we really held on. Um I thought we kind of took it to them all game. Um obviously, you know, they got a lot of talented players that are very opportunistic and um you know, they find ways to put the puck in the back of the net, which they did for them. Um so, you always got to be aware when they’re on the ice, but I thought, um, you know, for if you’re looking at a full 60, I thought we did a really good job um kind of suffocating them um coming through the neutral zone. Uh I thought our breakouts were great. Um didn’t really give them time and space to make plays. So, um, just got to continue to to repeat that and obviously that’s easier said than done, but, um, if we want to be successful, that’s, uh, that’s what we got to do. Matias is a very popular teammate. How happy are you that he can enjoy like this offensively? And what have we noticed just about his game in general? It seems very sturdy right now. Yeah, he’s been great. He’s been rock solid for us. Um, obviously you see the size and the strength and, um, he’s been very physical back there. Uh, boxing out. Um, good stick, hard to play against right now, which is what we need from him. Um and then obviously he’s chipping in off and so we love seeing that. Um couldn’t happen to a better guy. So um we’ll see uh tomorrow maybe he’s he gets on a hot streak for us. So T happened to you last year. Um you know your first five you didn’t get one and then your next five you scored in each game. It seemed like once one went in you were on a bender and one’s gone in for you now this year. Do do you do you see that because you still had your same season even though you went five games to start without one. Uh, do you see it the same way that once now one’s gone in for you, you’ll be fine? Yeah, I think it’s um it’s kind of like that. I feel like you get streaky. Um, you know, I I feel like I I always say this, but um if you’re getting opportunities and chances, then you’re you’re doing the right things. Um and I feel like, you know, these last seven games I’ve been getting really good looks and um just haven’t been going in for me. So, um yeah, nice nice to see it go in. Obviously, a little bit of weight off his shoulders and hopefully I can get hot and start to roll. Um, but obviously I think um, you know, I’ve I’ve liked my game as far as uh, you know, away from the puck and, you know, winning battles and and stuff that is uh, obviously things that don’t show up on the score sheet, but um, just got to continue to do those things and I think um, yeah, for for us they need me scoring and um, hopefully I can get on a roll. Tuck um, what is his value on the penalty kill late in the game? You know, not just the goal he scored, but what else he brings to the penalty kill? Yeah, I mean he’s such a big body, skates so well. Um he’s strong on pucks, so I mean anytime you’re going against him um as a power play unit, you you don’t have as much time or space to to make plays you think you do and he’s so rangy that he can get to you pretty quick. So um a big uh piece for our team and a huge piece for our kill and obviously a lot of block shots by him and um you know sacrificing his body for the for the group. And in that power play also, what was the strategy in really containing the Leafs too? You limiting them in that late power play and protecting that lead. Yeah, I think just kind of what we we practice every day. Um our power our penalty kills been really good. Um, I think just sticking to the structure and I think, you know, penalty kill, you got you got to have timely saves and um, you know, Lion’s been great and um, I think obviously the guys that step over the boards are uh, you know, selfless and they’re sacrificing their body, getting in lanes and blocking shots and selling out for the group. So, anytime you’re doing that, you’re going to have a successful PK. You called it at 0 and three. You said, you know, the world’s not ending here. How much has this team been able to just block out the outside noise and it’s kind of shown through in these five games? Yeah, I mean it’s a it’s two two-way street though, right? Um can’t get too down on ourselves when we’re 0 and three and we’re on a bit of a heater right now. Um can’t get too high on yourself and forget what um made you successful. So I think for us uh the message is just stay an even kill. Um continue to do things that are um you know recipe for winning hockey. um smart puck decisions through the neutral zone, being hard to play against in our own end and um supporting all over the ice. So, I think, you know, we’re a fast group. We can get on teams quick and um I think as of late, we’ve kind of started to gain traction with that and um you know, now we’re feeling a little bit so we just got to ride that wave. I mean, you talk about being but you guys have been a notably better team really at both ends of the ice this last stretch. What was different or what has been different? Well, I mean, the puck’s going in the net for us, too, so that helps. Um, you know, I think the you look at the first three games, we pulled our goalie in all three games. Uh, we’re right in it. It’s not like we’re getting blown out. So, um, obviously the goal scoring come um and I think we’re playing the game a little more consistent. I think, uh, a little too laidback, uh, the first three games, um, as far as just giving teams too much time and space to make plays, I think, um, you know, our last four or five, whatever it’s been, um, we’ve really used our speed on the for check and closing time and space. So, um, I think it’s been working for us and something we’re going to continue to do.

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson spoke with the media after the team’s 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 24, 2025. Thompson scored in the win, and spoke about Mattias Samuelsson’s success, the team’s play as of late, and more.

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