BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Tage Thompson had a hat trick to lead the Buffalo Sabres in a 6-3 victory against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.
Jason Zucker scored the go-ahead goal early in the the third period. The Sabres got a goal and an assist from both Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin in coming back back from down a goal twice in the second period. Peyton Krebs and Bowen Byram each had two assists in Buffalo’s fourth consecutive win.
Thompson extended his scoring streak to four games with a tally in the second period after the Bruins took an early 2-0 lead. Thompson scored again on a breakaway early in the third period, and got his 43rd goal of the season into the empty net in the final minute, moving past all-time scoring leader Alex Ovechkin for third in the NHL in goals this season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 18 saves for Buffalo, and Boston’s Joonas Korpisalo stopped 31 shots.
The Sabres have staved off playoff elimination with wins in seven of eight games. Buffalo’s next loss will extend the longest postseason drought in NHL history to 14 seasons.
Zucker’s shot from the top of the left circle hit Korpisalo’s glove and fluttered over the goaltender’s head and into the net to put the Sabres ahead 4-3 at 1:59 into the third period.
Thompson has eight career hat tricks, and two this season. Both have come against the Bruins.
Up next
The Sabers host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.