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Sabres' Tage Thompson turns '8 years of adversity' into crowning playoff moments
TL;DR
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres reflects on 8 years without playoff hockey as the team prepares for its first playoff game in 15 years. This journey highlights the challenges faced by Thompson and the Sabres as they seek to overcome their lack of playoff experience.
Key points
- Tage Thompson reflects on 8 years of NHL adversity
- Buffalo Sabres last played a playoff game 15 years ago
- Lack of playoff experience is a concern for the team
- Players are aware of the narrative surrounding their experience
Buffalo SabresTage Thompson
Sabres' Tage Thompson turns '8 years of adversity' into crowning playoff moments originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The number on everyone's mind in Western New York was 15 years. That's the last time the Sabres played a playoff hockey game.
The number on Tage Thompson's mind, though, was only about half of that -- 8 years. That's how many NHL seasons Thompson had played that ended with the final game of the regular season.
It created a narrative, not just for Thompson but for this whole Sabres team, that a lack of playoff experience could cost them.
It's the kind of narrative that the players themselves won't ever lean into, but until it's proven wrong, it persists.
For two-and-a-half periods Sunday night in their return to these bright lights, it seemed it may have been right.
Then Thompson used what he learned in eight years in the desert -- not to mention world championships and the Olympics -- to show that he'd already been taught plenty of lessons.
"I think eight years of adversity is enough experience to get you ready for stuff like this," Thompson said postgame. "Anytime you go eight years without making the playoffs and it's finally here, the last thing you want is regret. There's just a heightened feeling of hunger. You just don't want to let this opportunity slip."
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He'd never want to take too much credit, either. That's another thing a superstar learns in a long athletic career.
Thompson knew he wouldn't have scored the Sabres' first goal Sunday night without the forecheck of his teammates.
He knew the same was true on his game-tying goal, as well.
Q&A
How long has it been since the Sabres last played a playoff game?
The Buffalo Sabres last played a playoff game 15 years ago.
What challenges did Tage Thompson face in his NHL career?
Tage Thompson faced 8 years of adversity in his NHL career, with each season ending without playoff participation.
What is the significance of the Sabres' playoff experience?
The Sabres' lack of playoff experience is seen as a potential disadvantage as they prepare for their first playoff game in over a decade.
What narrative surrounds the Sabres and their playoff performance?
The narrative suggests that the Sabres' lack of playoff experience could hinder their performance, a concern that persists until proven otherwise.
