Thompson’s Hat Trick Helps Pluck the Ducks, 7-6

The Sabres beat the Ducks 7-6, in a wild one in Anaheim, and Tage Thompson stole the show.

Buffalo trailed 3-1 in the first period. Thompson tied it at three late in the first, then scored twice in fifteen seconds in the final two minutes of the second to make it 5-3.

Thompson finished with three goals and two assists, his tenth career hat trick, tying Alexander Mogilny and Danny Gare for third in Sabres history. Zach Benson had a goal and two assists. Colten Ellis made twenty-eight saves.

The Ducks scored twice in the last seventy seconds to make it close, but Buffalo held on. The Sabres are six, four and three, and play at Los Angeles Saturday.