Sabres' Tage Thompson gets playoff W, knows 'Jesus is everything'

Buffalo Sabres snap playoff drought behind star Tage Thompson, who knows ‘Jesus is everything’

By Kevin Mercer Apr 20, 2026

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson celebrates one of his goals, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It had been 15 long years since the Buffalo Sabres last made an appearance in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. That is, until Sunday.

The Sabres took down the Boston Bruins, 4-3, in their much-anticipated playoff return, and it took a spurt of four goals in less than seven minutes to do so during a wild third period.

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The Sabres, champions of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, looked listless as they fell behind by two goals early in the third period. The energy inside Buffalo’s KeyBank Center, once celebratory, became marked with anxiety. It appeared as though Sabres fans would have to wait at least one more game for the team’s first playoff win in a decade and a half.

But then, the team’s best offensive weapon came alive.

Playing in his first career playoff game, longtime Sabre Tage Thompson scored two goals in quick succession to even the score. He wrapped his first around the Bruins’ goalie from behind the net.

TAGE THOMPSON SCORES BUFFALO'S FIRST GOAL OF THE #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS! 🦬

🇺🇸: @espn
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports 2 pic.twitter.com/iEvYoB48TP

— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2026

His second came less than four minutes later, when he stole the puck behind Boston’s goal, skated open in front of the net, and buried a shot just inside the far post.

TAGE THOMPSON'S GOT TWO GOALS AND TIED IT FOR THE SABRES! GET LOUD BUFFALO! 😆

🇺🇸: @espn
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports 2 pic.twitter.com/7CQFbkVw4j

— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2026

Buffalo netted two more goals just minutes later to seize control of the game. Despite a successful Boston power play to trim the lead to one, the Sabres held on for the victory and a 1-0 series lead. Buffalo’s rally was just the second time in NHL history a team overcame a multi-goal deficit in the final eight minutes of a playoff game to win in regulation.

“Eight years of adversity is enough experience to get you ready for something like this,” Thompson said in his postgame press conference about his time with the organization. “I think any time you go eight years and not making playoffs, and then it’s finally here, the last thing you want is regret. There was just a heightened feeling of hunger. We just don’t want to let this opportunity slip. I thought tonight was really important to make a statement and set our standard.”

The 28-year-old has been a stalwart on the offensive end for the upstart Sabres all year. He played the most games (81) and recorded the second-most points of his career (a team-leading 81) this season. He scored 40 goals, the most on the team, and handed out 41 assists.

Thompson’s heroics for the Sabres in Game 1 only added to what has already been a very memorable 2026. In February, he scored three goals for Team USA during the Americans’ trek to capture their first Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.

And he’s proclaimed his faith in Christ throughout.

“Jesus is everything to me,” the 2023 NHL All-Star said days after winning gold. “Obviously, we’re made imperfect. We’re all sinners, and we need Him. And I fall short every single day, and He’s the One I rely on. I think when you have that sense of hope, the grace and the mercy that I receive every day from Him is something that gives me peace and joy in life, no matter what I do.

“And He’s blessed me with this game and this opportunity to play the game I love at a high level.”

Thompson spoke at length about his faith in Christ as a guest on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in July 2023, when he said he grew up hearing about God but only later came to an understanding of his need for a relationship with Him.

“I think when you take a step back,” he said, “and realize that God’s in control and He has a plan for you, and His plan is far better than anything we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20), you just kind of give it over to Him and sit back and enjoy the ride.”

Now with one postseason game — and one postseason victory — under his belt, Thompson knows the publicity of a deep playoff run would present him with an even better opportunity to point others to Jesus.

“Hockey influences my faith,” he told His Huddle in December 2020, “because I’m able to use the platform I’ve been given to try and be a light to others to show what it means to be a follower of Christ. And hopefully lead others to come to know Him.”

Thompson and the Sabres will face off against the Bruins in Game 2, set for Tuesday in Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. ET. They will seek to retain the home-ice advantage and take a commanding series lead.

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Hockey

Brothers Josiah, Jaccob Slavin play on same NHL team for first time: ‘We all love Jesus’

By Jon Ackerman Apr 13, 2026

Josiah (left) and Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, April 11, 2026. (Photo via X/@Canes)

Not a bad week for star Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin.

On Tuesday, he put home an overtime game-winner for Carolina’s 50th win of the season, just the fifth 50-win season in franchise history. It marked his first goal of the season. As a defenseman, he doesn’t typically add a ton of offense for the Hurricanes, but injuries have limited him to only 39 games this season, the fewest of his 11-year career.

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JACCOB SLAVIN WINS IT IN @ENERGIZER OVERTIME! 😤 pic.twitter.com/atJtLmvy54

— NHL (@NHL) April 8, 2026

On Thursday, the 31-year-old was given a night off to rest as the Canes played in Chicago, but a Slavin was still on the ice. Jaccob’s 27-year-old younger brother, Josiah, made his debut for Carolina. It was his first NHL action since 2022, when he played for Chicago.

Then on Friday, the Hurricanes announced that Jaccob had been named the team’s nominee for the 2025-26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which honors the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” Jaccob has long been active in supporting organizations such as International Justice Mission, Compassion International, the Raleigh Dream Center, the Raleigh Rescue Mission, and the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.

But Saturday was the ultimate highlight. Jaccob was back in action, as was Josiah, and for the first time in the NHL, the brothers took the ice for the same team.

“Just pure joy,” Jaccob said during a first-intermission interview. “I mean, obviously, growing up together, played a lot of mini sticks together, played a lot of backyard hockey together. But, to finally be able to be here in the NHL with him — that’s just joy. It’s awesome — thankful for this opportunity.”

“It’s been nothing but awesome,” Josiah said. “I mean, he’s been five years older than me, so I’ve been catching up pretty much my whole life. Just to get this opportunity is nothing but special.”

"Close-knit family, we all love Jesus, and we're just happy to be here together"
Both Jaccob and Josiah Slavin joined to discuss things in a very special first intermission interview#CarolinaCulture #TusksUp #NHL pic.twitter.com/wGHzuOMRxg

— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) April 11, 2026

Jaccob tallied an assist in 26 minutes, 54 seconds of ice time, while Josiah, a left wing, logged 14:04 as Carolina defeated the Mammoth in Utah, 4-1, for its 52nd win of the year. Heading into Monday’s matchups, the Hurricanes own the best record in the Eastern Conference (52-22-6).

Their parents, Robert and Wendi, and older sister, Jordan, also traveled to Utah to take in the special moment in person, though brothers Justin and Jeremiah were unable to make the trip.

“We have a close-knit family,” Jaccob said. “We all love Jesus, and we’re just happy to be here together.”

Robert echoed those thoughts when he and his wife were interviewed for the Canes’ broadcast as well.

“Five kids that love the Lord and they’re always there for each other, no matter what happens,” Robert said.

Josiah’s time with Carolina was short-lived, however, as he was sent on Sunday back to the Chicago Wolves, the minor league affiliate of the Hurricanes. In 66 games this season with the Wolves, he has registered 25 points (six goals, 19 assists).

No matter where he’s playing, though, Josiah will continue pointing teammates to the Lord. He said in December that he’s leading a discipleship group amongst the Wolves, and they have up to 13 guys attending the team chapels, with five or six also going to church together when their schedule allows.

“What God’s doing in Chicago right now with this team, it’s been special,” Josiah told “Sound the Siren.”

Undoubtedly, he’s taken a cue from his older brother, who’s long been one of the most outspoken Christ-followers in the NHL. With the platform Jaccob’s been given through hockey, even his time with the recent U.S. Olympic hockey team, he’s given glory to God.

He suffered a lower-body injury in preseason training that forced him to miss 29 regular-season games. He came back for two games before an upper-body injury knocked him out for another 10 games. For a time, it was questionable whether he’d be able to play in the Olympics.

“I just look at it with gratitude,” he said in February, after Team USA won gold. “… Just thankful for God, and protecting me while I was over there, but also through this season with the injuries that I had at the beginning of the year. Just trusting His timing with it all, and getting to a spot where I was healthy enough to go and play. So, again, I look at it with gratitude.”

In March, Jaccob returned to the Sports Spectrum Podcast and touched on the mantra many athletes say about praising God in the good and the bad. He was asked about why we should do that.

“I think the biggest reason why, as a Christian athlete, is we look at what Jesus did on the cross,” Jaccob said. “Going into a game, we know that we are sinners saved by grace. So we’re playing from the identity of, ‘All right, I’m out here as a chosen vessel of God to glorify God.’ And whether you’re in the office working, whether it’s a sport you’re playing, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, that is where God has you, so you’re going to do your work for God’s glory. So the reason why is because He’s worthy of it.

“One thing I’ve always prayed before games is: Christ died for me so I’m going to play for Him. If He was willing to give His life for me, I feel like the least I can do is play for Him with the platform He’s given me, the abilities He’s given me, and really just glorify and honor Him through the sport of hockey, or through loving my wife, parenting my kids, whatever it is.”

With two games remaining in the regular season, Slavin and the Hurricanes are looking to match the franchise-best win total of 54.

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Hockey

Owen Power helping Sabres make playoff push with faith ‘most important part’ of his life

By Cole Claybourn Mar 5, 2026

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power, Feb. 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II).

For much of this season, the numbers haven’t told the full story for Owen Power.

One of the top defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres and a former No. 1 overall pick, the 23-year-old endured a 24-game goal drought earlier this year — an unusual outlier even for a blueliner, who typically isn’t counted on to produce like a forward. Statistically, with only 19 points through 60 games, it hasn’t been a banner season for Power.

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But it’s shaping up to be a strong year for the Sabres. After a 5-8-4 start through Nov. 13, Buffalo caught fire, winning 10 straight to close out 2025. The surge vaulted it into second place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, and the squad has now won 10 of its past 13 games and four in a row since the Olympic break as it pushes toward what would be the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2011.

And Power insists he’s playing the best hockey of his career.

“You look at the numbers, it probably doesn’t say that,” he told the Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald following a February practice. “But being out there, the feel I have, I feel like I’m playing better than I have in years prior. And when you’re winning, everyone looks a lot better.”

For Power, the difference has been confidence — and details.

“I think I’m using my feet a lot better (than) what I have, and with that, I think my defending comes a lot easier when I’m able to use my feet defending rather than just kind of using my stick,” he told the Times Herald. “So I think that’s kind of been a big thing. I’ve been able to close guys quicker and have tighter gaps. When you do that, the game’s a lot easier.”

Owen Power's shot goes off a Knights glove and by Schmid, 2-0 #LetsGoBuffalo #Sabrehood #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/nerNdFGuOc

— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) March 4, 2026

His steadiness has mirrored Buffalo’s turnaround. Following a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday — in which Power scored on a deflection, his fifth goal of the season — he credited the group’s resilience after the long break for the Olympics.

“The rest was big,” he told reporters. “But I think we did a good job of coming back and just continuing to roll and play confident, so it’s definitely nice to come out and win four straight. Hopefully we keep it rolling.”

While his on-ice growth has been evident, Power says the most important transformation in his life has been his relationship with God. Raised in a Catholic family, he was around church growing up, but his faith was more routine than relationship.

He attended on “the big holidays,” he said, mostly to “check it off the box.” It wasn’t until before college that he began attending a Bible study. When he arrived at Michigan, that habit continued. There, he also met his future wife, whom he credits with helping lead him into a deeper walk with Christ.

“Ever since that, it’s been the most important part of our life,” he said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in October.

That foundation became especially important once hockey success — and the contract that followed — arrived, especially when it can be easy for athletes to let their identity get wrapped up in the money and fame of pro sports.

“One thing I realized pretty quickly is I signed that contract, and you realize right away that this doesn’t change how happy you are at all,” he said on the podcast. “If anything, it comes with more temptations and ability to live with more selfish desires.”

He believes God has given him those things for a reason, and he’s ready to embrace that. But using his platform to talk about his faith is not something that comes naturally.

“I’m not the most comfortable doing it,” he told Sports Spectrum, “but I think especially in the last couple of years, I’ve kind of had the opportunity to do different things that have allowed me to come out of my shell and be able to spread the Gospel to different people around the community. It’s something I know I need to do better at, and I know God has given me a platform to use.”

Like the saying goes: Giving to others often has a way of returning the favor.

“When you’re able to go and spread the Gospel, even if it’s just getting to one person, it’s some of the most fulfilling work you can do,” he said. “I think it brings a ton of joy to my life.”

The Sabres get back on the ice Thursday in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins at 7 p.m. ET.

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Hockey Olympics

Christ-followers Jaccob Slavin, Tage Thompson help U.S. hockey capture historic Olympic gold

By Kevin Mercer Feb 23, 2026

U.S. hockey players Jaccob Slavin (left) and Tage Thompson. (AP Photos)

The United States is partying like it’s 1980.

For the first time since the memorable “Miracle on Ice” team at Lake Placid, New York, the American men took home the hockey gold medal at the Winter Olympics with a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada in Milan, Italy.

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With NHL players participating in the Games for the first time since 2014, stars littered the ice as the bitter rivals played to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild got the United States on the board first with an incredible goal six minutes in, then Canada responded toward the end of the second period with a goal from Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. The teams dueled to a scoreless third period, which set up the heroics that ensued.

Streaking down the left side of the ice toward the goal, American Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils — missing two front teeth from a high stick earlier in the game — received a pass and in one seamless motion zipped a shot into the far corner of the net to send the United States into a frenzy.

It was the United States’ second overtime winner in this Olympics; Jack Hughes’ brother, Quinn, also netted a game-winning goal in overtime against Sweden in the quarterfinal round. Although the United States and Canada have faced off in the gold-medal match eight times at the Winter Olympics, Sunday’s triumph was just the second U.S. victory (1960 was the other).

Among the Americans flinging their gloves in the air in celebration of Hughes’ goal on Sunday was Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres. Slavin was +1 during his time on the ice Sunday while Thompson accumulated a team-leading four shots on goal. Slavin, a defenseman, and Thompson, a center, were both crucial to Team USA’s run. Slavin provided stout defense throughout the trek to the gold medal while Thompson recorded goals against Latvia, Germany and Slovakia.

Slavin and Thompson are also bonded by something much deeper than even a national allegiance. Both are also professing believers in Jesus Christ and have appeared as guests on the Sports Spectrum Podcast. Slavin has appeared multiple times, speaking about just how important Jesus is to him during an October 2024 episode.

“[Jesus is] everything,” he said. “He’s Lord of my life. If He’s not Lord of everything, He’s not Lord at all. He’s a gracious Friend. I live my life because of Him and what He did for me. My purpose in life, my purpose in my marriage, my purpose of being a father, it’s all to glorify Him because He’s worthy of that glory.”

The 31-year-old has spent his entire 11-year career in Carolina, making the playoffs for the past seven (and likely eight) and earning a spot in the All-Star Game in 2020. Even more important to him, however, is winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2020-21 and 2023-24, awarded annually to the player who’s best demonstrated “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

“Out of all the awards that I’d want to win, that’s the one I feel like means the most to me because that exemplifies how I try to carry myself, how I try to live. And I do that by trying to represent Jesus the best I can,” he said on the podcast. “An award like that — having good sportsmanship, being a gentleman in a violent game — I’m thankful the Lord has given me the temperament that I have and He’s led me by His Spirit. People may not know it, but what they’re seeing is Jesus through me.”

Like Slavin, the 28-year-old Thompson has also appeared once in the NHL All-Star Game (2023), and he also grew up hearing about the things of God. And at around the age of 13, Jesus revealed to Thompson his need for a personal relationship with Him.

“That’s where my faith really started to turn,” Thompson said on the podcast in July 2023, “from just going through the motions and a title of being a Christian to understanding the actual relationship part of walking with Christ and the sacrifice that He made for all of us.”

He also explained the immense freedom he’s felt from the years-long process of learning to submit to God’s plan for his life.

“I think when you take a step back,” Thompson said, “and realize that God’s in control and He has a plan for you and His plan is far better than anything that we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20), you just kind of give it over to Him and sit back and enjoy the ride.”

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Both Slavin and Thompson have certainly enjoyed the ride to the gold medal together as teammates representing the United States. But now, just like that, the two become competitors once again in a challenging Eastern Conference. Carolina (36-15-6) is second in the East while Buffalo (32-19-6) is sixth.

After its 20-day break for the Olympics, NHL games resume on Wednesday.

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Hockey Olympics

Teddy Blueger sees God ‘working in my life’ as NHL star leads Latvian Olympic hockey team

By Kevin Mercer Feb 16, 2026

Latvia's Teodors Blugers (23) challenges with Denmark's Frederik Andersen (31) during the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, Pool)

For the first time since 2014, NHL players are allowed to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. And of the dozens of NHL players currently chasing gold as they represent their countries this year in Milan, Italy, some of them are also professing believers in Jesus Christ.

One such player is Latvia’s Teddy Blueger, a center for the Vancouver Canucks.

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The 31-year-old (whose Latvian name is Teodors Blugers) has yet to record a point in Italy, as Latvia won one game and dropped two during pool play. But he’ll be leaned upon to keep Latvia from going home. Despite finishing fourth in Group C, Blueger and his teammates aren’t out of medal contention yet; all 12 teams will appear in the knockout stage.

Latvia, which earned the No. 10 seed, will play No. 7-seeded Sweden in the first round on Tuesday. The winner of that contest will face off against the No. 2-seeded United States on Wednesday.

“Everyone takes a lot of pride in playing for their national team,” Blueger told Canucks Insider in the lead-up to the Olympics. “It’s a huge deal at home (in Latvia), it’s a big honor, and we’re looking forward to going there and just competing.”

"Everyone takes a lot of pride in playing for their national team. It's a huge deal at home, it's a big honour, and we're looking forward to going there and just competing."

Teddy Blueger discusses his return to play, success on the penalty kill, and the 2026 Winter Olympics. pic.twitter.com/ESsSQiMilk

— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) February 11, 2026

An even greater joy for Blueger than representing Latvia is representing Christ in Italy.

“It eventually just kind of felt right,” Blueger said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in October 2023 about becoming a Christian. “I knew God was there and I could see Him working in my life.”

Blueger’s road to surrendering control of his life fully to God was years long. He grew up in Riga, Latvia, knowing next to nothing about Christianity, and it wasn’t until he came to the United States as a teenager that God began to change things.

God was at work through countless Bible studies, countless hockey chapels, and countless Sunday morning services in countless different cities to soften Blueger’s heart toward Him. But ultimately, it wasn’t until God used a relationship with a young lady Blueger met in high school in Minnesota, named Monique LaFontaine, that Blueger came to saving faith.

Because of LaFontaine’s gentle yet persistent urging, Blueger became a regular at church. And because of her character, Blueger became captivated with the character of God. His eyes began to open and he began to recognize God’s steadfast presence in each chapter of his life.

“She’s got Jesus just shining through her because of the type of person she is,” Blueger said on the podcast. “… You look back and you see God working in your life in all these ways.”

The two were married in 2021.

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Blueger’s pro hockey career began when the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him out of Minnesota State in 2016. Pittsburgh is where he played the first 4.5 years of his career. He loved the city. But everything was uprooted when, in March 2023, he was traded from the Penguins to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Blueger’s initial anguish around being shipped to Las Vegas quickly turned to joy, however, when the Knights went on to win the 2022-23 Stanley Cup.

On the podcast, Blueger explained the difficulty of trusting God’s plan amid the uncertainty of the trade and the blessing it is to surrender all things to Him.

“Ultimately, even if I think I have all this control, I don’t,” he said. “… It’s been an awesome journey, and God’s done some amazing things in my life.”

Blueger may find himself in a similar situation in the very near future, as rumors have been swirling that the Canucks (with whom he signed in July 2023) plan to move Blueger before the trade deadline in early March. He’s set to become a free agent at season’s end.

Blueger, who recently spoke about unselfishness in a new seven-day devotional for the YouVersion Bible app, will seek to focus on the task in front of him during Latvia’s trek through the Olympics and once again trust in God for his NHL future.

Puck-drop for Latvia’s knockout-round matchup against Sweden on Tuesday will be at 3:10 p.m. ET.

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