Thompson scores highlight-reel goal, Comrie makes 27 saves in preseason game vs. Penguins

PITTSBURGH - As the Buffalo Sabres took the ice at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday with just a handful of NHL veterans and several young players, the Pittsburgh Penguins iced a lineup resembling the roster they will use in the regular season, complete with household names like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, plus offseason acquisition Erik Karlsson.

While Buffalo fell 3-1 in its fourth preseason game, the matchup served as an opportunity for those looking to make the jump to the NHL to learn more about what it takes to play at that level against some of the league’s biggest stars.

“I thought from that respect, they passed that test. They were not in awe and they competed hard,” coach Don Granato said following the loss. “Obviously, there’s some things you take from a game you want to do better. ... We spoke a little bit about it after the game, we’ll talk more about it tomorrow and through the rest of camp, specifically with our younger players.”

Tage Thompson scored the Sabres’ lone goal in highlight-reel fashion for his first of the preseason and second point in his two exhibition games.

“It’s always nice knocking the rust off, getting back into a rhythm, getting your timing back," he said. "You know, especially against them, they got pretty much their full lineup in. So, that was a good test for us.”

The exhibition contest gave Granato the chance to take looks at players like Jiri Kulich and Tyson Kozak against Crosby. He left impressed with their effort and response late in the game.

Granato also emphasized how going through experiences like this one will teach young players to learn and adjust quickly, like he saw with defenseman Ryan Johnson.

“He continues to impress,” Granato said. “He’s taken every opportunity, shown that he’s been able to extract the experience of that opportunity and the next day apply it or the next situation, next shift, apply it. Even between periods, you speak to certain individuals and say, ‘Hey, here’s an adjustment you can make,’ and then you sit back as a coach and you watch how fast they can actually make that adjustment.

“But RJ’s shown lots of acclimation through this camp and tonight was another good test for him and I thought he did very well.”

Eric Comrie played the full game in net for Buffalo and made 27 saves, including a trio of breakaway stops, on 29 shots faced.

“Eric’s a worker. He’s a battler, he’s a competitive guy,” Granato said. “So, his focus, he’s always dialed in. Tonight didn’t look like preseason for him. He was very sharp.”

With time before the regular season dwindling down, the coaching staff will be faced with some difficult decisions in the coming weeks but will remain focused on putting together the best roster to win hockey games.

“We know and expect to win and even though we talk about development and how much young guys are going to progress, the bottom line is we know we can win hockey games now and we have that as the focus,” Granato said. “So as camp winds down, the decisions will be based more on that. As camp moves through here, you’re going to obviously push those young guys to soak up as much as they can and some of them will be here potentially and most of them won’t, obviously."

How it happened

PERIOD 1

The two teams emerged scoreless from a low-event first period, thanks to a successful penalty kill by the Sabres and a breakaway save from Comrie against Crosby, who attempted to shoot five-hole but was turned away by the goaltender’s pad.

PERIOD 2

Comrie turned away a second breakaway – this one a glove save on Drew O’Connor – before the Penguins finally got on the board, the product of a Rickard Rakell one-timer set up by Crosby.

Thompson’s highlight-reel goal tied the score with 40.9 seconds remaining. The 6-foot-6 centerman used his body to shield a defender from the puck as he cut left to right across the Pittsburgh goal and beat Tristan Jarry’s skate to the post.

PERIOD 3

O’Connor, after shooting high on a second breakaway attempt in the second period, planted himself in the blue paint and sent in a pass from Lars Eller to break the 1-1 tie 8:48 into the period. He added an empty-net goal to seal the win for the Penguins during the final minute.

What we learned

1. Jordan Greenway, who made a great play in the neutral zone to lead to Thompson’s goal, appeared on both the power play and penalty-kill units and looked strong in his second exhibition contest. The forward now has two points (0+2) in as many preseason games.

“He made that goal for Thompson by tracking back and passed a couple of players to just get a stick on the puck and create the turnover,” Granato said. “But lots of little efforts like that. He has such a great range, and he commands a lot of respect out there. ... Guys are asking for him on their line quite a bit.”

Thompson in particular enjoyed playing alongside Greenway due to his ability to create space for his linemates.

“The first thing that stands out is his size and strength on the puck,” Thompson said. “He’s one of those guys that can get in on forechecks and hold on to pucks down low and create time and space for his linemates. So, anytime we get in the offensive zone and establish it, it usually bodes well for us. It’s been good playing with him.”

2. Zach Benson played in his third preseason game, logging 16:28 of ice time and over three minutes on the Sabres’ top power-play unit. At just 18 years old, Benson held his own against players like Crosby and Malkin.

Thompson emphasized how Benson’s speed and tenacity make him dangerous against any opponent.

“He’s so tenacious on the puck and he’s good at stripping guys,” Thompson said. “Once he gets it, he’s a skilled player too and he sees guys really well. It’s good for his linemates, just finding open space and he’s making the play, so it’s been fun playing with him, watching him. He’s a good player.”

Following morning skate, Granato said Benson has earned every opportunity he has been given and could make an appearance again with three exhibition games left before the start of the 2023-24 season.

“He’s done very well,” Granato said. “We probably projected him being in at least three. Now, based on how he’s playing, there’s intrigue that he may get more.”

3. Coming off a career year which saw him come just six points shy of the 100-point mark with 47 goals and 47 assists in 78 games, Thompson’s mindset heading into the rest of training camp is simple: continue to get better.

“Just take it a day at a time and try to improve each day and get back to a game pace, and get the timing back and get the details and habits back in your game,” he said. “And then from there, just little things will come together and be ready to go when the puck drops for the season opener.”

Up next

The Sabres return home to host the Columbus Blue Jackets at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available here.

The game will be streamed live on Sabres.com. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.