Tage Thompson scored three goals and added two assists as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-6 on Thursday, October 29, at Honda Center in Anaheim.
The victory improved Buffalo’s record to 6-4-3, while Anaheim fell to 5-7-1 after surrendering a two-goal first-period lead and then nearly completing a late comeback.
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Tage Thompson powers Buffalo’s comeback
The Ducks struck first, with Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier scoring power-play goals in the opening three minutes.
Roger McQueen then gave Anaheim a 3-1 advantage with his first NHL goal before Buffalo began to turn the game around.
Tyson Kozak opened Buffalo’s scoring, Noah Östlund added a power-play goal and Thompson tied the game with his sixth goal of the season.
Thompson put the Sabres ahead in the second period and completed his hat trick on a breakaway, helping Buffalo build a 7-3 lead before the Ducks responded.
The performance was Thompson’s 10th career NHL hat trick, according to the game recap, and came one day before his 29th birthday.
Sabres survive late Ducks surge
Anaheim refused to go quietly in the final period.
Tristan Luneau and Beckett Sennecke scored in the final 1:08, with Sennecke’s goal coming after Anaheim pulled goaltender Ville Husso for an extra attacker.
The late rally cut Buffalo’s lead to one, but the Sabres held on through the closing seconds to complete their second straight road victory.
Colten Ellis made 29 saves for Buffalo, while Husso stopped 24 of 31 shots before leaving the net for the extra skater.
Thompson, Benson lead Buffalo offence
Thompson finished the night with three goals and two assists, while Zach Benson contributed one goal and two assists.
Peyton Krebs recorded three assists, helping Buffalo generate enough offence to withstand Anaheim’s strong start and late pressure.
Jack Quinn, Kozak and Östlund also scored for the Sabres.
For Anaheim, Gauthier scored twice, while Granlund, McQueen, Luneau and Sennecke each added one goal.
The Ducks also received three assists from Leo Carlsson, but their defensive problems continued during a seventh loss in eight games.
What the result means for both teams
Buffalo improved to 2-0-1 during its four-game road trip and secured another high-scoring win after opening the season with inconsistent defensive results.
The Sabres’ victory also gave them momentum heading into the final game of their California trip.
Anaheim, meanwhile, was unable to protect a 3-1 first-period lead and remains outside the stronger early-season positions in the Western Conference.
The Ducks were already managing injuries on defence, and their depth was tested again as Buffalo generated six unanswered goals across the second and third periods before Anaheim’s late response.
Next games
Buffalo is scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, October 31, with the game set for 1 p.m. Pacific time.
Anaheim’s next scheduled game is Sunday, November 1, against the Ottawa Senators at Honda Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Tage Thompson score against the Ducks?
Tage Thompson scored three goals for the Buffalo Sabres, completing a hat trick in the 7-6 win.
What was the final score between the Sabres and Ducks?
The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-6 on October 29, 2026.
How many points did Tage Thompson record?
Thompson recorded five points, finishing with three goals and two assists.
Who led Buffalo in assists against Anaheim?
Peyton Krebs led Buffalo with three assists, while Zach Benson recorded two assists.
When do the Sabres play next?
Buffalo’s next scheduled game is against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key game facts, player totals and upcoming schedule information were checked against NHL and team schedule information.
Disclaimer: Sports scores and schedules can be updated by the league or teams after publication.