Sabres' Post-Game Report: Sabres Win First Game Of Year In Comeback Victory Over Hawks, But There's Still Reason To Worry About Buffalo's Ne

Thompson was held off the scoresheet in Buffalo's season-opening loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, and it's no coincidence the Sabres won their first game of the year while Thompson led all Buffalo point-producers with a goal and two points.

The Sabres also got an emotional boost when youngster Jiri Kulich helped Buffalo come back from one of multiple deficits by scoring the game-winning goal late in the third period; Kulich was sidelined for all but 12 games of the 2025-26 season after being diagnosed with a blood clot, so seeing the 21-year-old stepping up with a huge goal clearly delivered an excellent sentiment in the Sabres' dressing room.

But make no mistake – while many Buffalo players have to meet or exceed expectations for this Sabres team to do at least as much as they did last season, the Sabres are only going to go as far as Thompson carries them. He's their most talented forward and most dangerous offensive player, and his two-point night Saturday was a good harbinger of what's likely to come from Thompson this season.