The Sabres needed a bigger, tougher response after hit on Tage Thompson

The Buffalo Sabres did some soul searching in the last week after New Jersey Devils’ forward Stefan Noesen knocked Tage Thompson out of their game last Sunday, with no Sabres teammates coming to Thompson’s defense.

Head coach Lindy Ruff canceled practice Monday and held a team meeting, with players coming out of the meeting saying they would never let themselves be in that position again. In their first game back since the incident, forward Dennis Gilbert dropped the gloves with Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Mathieu Olivier on the first play of the game.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the fight and what comes next for the Sabres.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I know it was a staged fight right off the draw, but still, I like that Buffalo showed some character here.

Frank Seravalli: Totally disagree with you here. Oh, so super impressive that you dropped the gloves to start the game, which everyone thought was going to happen, then you get slapped around by Mathieu Olivier. I mean, he absolutely crushed Dennis Gilbert in this fight.

You guys have a lack of response, then you have a staged response, just to show everyone “Ho ho, hey guys, no no, we’re actually tough! We do care for each other!” It doesn’t mean anything. You showed your true colors the first time around with the way you handled the hit on Tage Thompson.

To then show up and get dusted in a fight in the first five seconds of the game does not impress me. You get no points. I’m sorry, but no, it doesn’t work that way.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I-

Frank Seravalli: If you came out and pummelled Olivier, then maybe? Maybe? But not this way (sarcastic applause). You guys showed up, wow.

Tyler Yaremchuk: So you’re saying my bar is a little too low for the Buffalo Sabres?

Frank Seravalli: Yes! I’m saying it’s insanely low!

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…