Buffalo Sabres Forward Tage Thompson is Expected to be Ready for Sunday’s Olympic Gold Medal Game for Team USA

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson participated in Team USA’s practice Saturday and appears on track to play in Sunday’s Olympic gold medal game against Canada. Head coach Mike Sullivan provided encouraging news after the towering winger skated strongly following his early exit from Friday’s semifinal victory.

Thompson left the USA’s 6-2 win over Slovakia during the third period for precautionary reasons with a lower-body injury. The 6-foot-6 forward was spotted walking the arena tunnels without his skates after blocking a shot with his foot earlier in the game.

Sullivan pulled Thompson from the lineup with the USA holding a commanding 5-0 lead entering the final period. The calculated decision to rest his top power-play weapon proved wise, as Thompson returned to full practice the following morning.

Thompson joined the main practice group on Saturday and showed no lingering effects from the injury that forced his early departure. Sullivan bluntly stated his power-play specialist looked incredibly strong during the session at Milano Santagiulia Arena.

The Buffalo star has three goals and four points in five Olympic games while establishing himself as a crucial weapon on the USA’s first power-play unit. His heavy shot and ability to control the left circle make him nearly impossible to defend against Canada’s penalty kill.

Thompson dominated before his precautionary exit against Slovakia. He assisted on Dylan Larkin’s opening goal before unleashing a 97-mph one-timer past Samuel Hlavaj on the power play to extend the USA’s advantage.

The performance continued his strong Olympic debut after missing the 4 Nations Face-Off roster last year. Thompson scored the winning goal as the US captured gold at the 2025 World Championships before earning his Olympic opportunity through dominant

NHL production.

Thompson has evolved into one of hockey’s most lethal volume shooters during his career with Buffalo. The Commerce, Michigan, product has posted 30 goals and 59 points through 57 games this season while helping the Sabres position themselves to end a 14-year playoff drought.

His combination of size, speed, and stickhandling ability makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Sullivan relies heavily on Thompson’s presence in the left circle, where he feeds off crisp passes from Jack Hughes on the half-wall.

Now, Team USA faces Canada at 8:10 a.m. ET Sunday at Santagiulia Arena with Olympic supremacy on the line. Thompson’s expected availability provides a significant boost as the Americans chase their first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid in 1980.

Sullivan’s decision to protect his elite weapon on Friday could prove the smartest move of the tournament when the puck drops for the championship showdown against Canada’s deep roster.