Fans of the Buffalo Sabres watching the Team USA men’s hockey team at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have seen Tage Thompson deployed differently on the Americans’ power play compared to his usual positioning in Buffalo. While the Sabres have had limited success this season with Thompson stationed near the left faceoff dot, Team USA takes advantage of his size by placing him near the left goal line or close to the crease to create screens and open scoring opportunities.
This adjustment has paid off, especially in a group-stage game against Latvia where Thompson scored by using his body to gain leverage before firing a backhand shot into the net. The 28-year-old from Arizona aims to continue his influence as the United States prepares for the semifinal against Slovakia on Friday.
Insights from Sabres Assistant Coach Seth Appert on Thompson’s Power Play Usage
Seth Appert, who oversees the Sabres’ power play, confirmed that the U.S. coaching staff consulted with Buffalo’s coaches about Thompson’s different responsibilities during the Olympics.
It’s something that the U.S. staff had asked our staff, if we believed he could play that role, and obviously we do,
Appert said.
He’s got the intelligence and the skill level to really probably play any of the five spots on the power play. And he’s doing a good job with this opportunity right now.
Appert’s acknowledgment highlights the flexibility and skill Thompson possesses, which could be leveraged more effectively back in Buffalo.
Current Challenges Facing the Sabres’ Power Play
Buffalo’s power play has struggled, ranking 16th in the NHL with a success rate of 20.1% this season. Many power-play goals have come from scrambles or fortunate bounces rather than well-structured plays. Two main problems contribute to the unit’s inefficiency.
First, the Sabres have difficulty entering the offensive zone and maintaining control across the blue line. Their frequent use of a neutral-zone drop pass is well known, prompting defenders to aggressively disrupt these entries and cause turnovers. Second, once inside the zone, players including Thompson tend to remain in their predictable positions, passing around the perimeter and taking low-percentage shots instead of creating dynamic chances near the net.
The Potential Impact of Thompson’s Olympic Experience on the Sabres
Removing Thompson from his usual faceoff circle spot and employing him as a screen near the goal or along the goal line, similar to Team USA’s strategy, could give the Sabres’ power play a fresh look. Opposing penalty kills may struggle to adjust, possibly opening up more high-danger scoring opportunities.
Appert is under considerable pressure to improve the special teams as Buffalo seeks its first playoff berth since 2011. The lack of a consistent power play has been a key obstacle preventing the Sabres from transitioning from a promising young team into a genuine contender.
Meanwhile, the experience Thompson and fellow Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin are gaining from playing high-stakes international games at the Olympics will likely benefit Buffalo’s rebuilding efforts. However, Thompson’s varied role on the U.S. power play stands out as an especially valuable takeaway for the Sabres when NHL action resumes.
