Thompson Named NHL's First Star of the Week After California Sweep

Tage Thompson has been named the NHL's First Star of the Week after a blistering run that carried the Buffalo Sabres to a perfect California road trip. The league announced the honour on Monday for the week ending November 1, with Thompson collecting eight points on five goals and three assists in three games, both totals tied for the league lead during the week. The 6-foot-6 alternate captain scored his 10th career hat trick on Thursday in Anaheim, then followed it up on Saturday in Los Angeles with two more goals, including the late power-play winner in a 3-2 Sabres victory. Buffalo went 3-0-0 on the trip, and Thompson now sits tied for sixth in the NHL with 10 goals, putting him on pace for a 60-goal season. He also totalled 18 shots on goal during the week and ranks second leaguewide with 63 shots this season. Thompson's form has been the driving force behind Buffalo's surge, and the First Star recognition caps a week in which he was simply the most dangerous scorer in the league.