Thompson nets 4 in 1st, 5 overall, as Buffalo tops Columbus


              Buffalo Sabres' Tage Thompson, right, scores a goal against Columbus Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Buffalo Sabres' Dylan Cozens, left, and Columbus Blue Jackets' Vladislav Gavrikov vie for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Buffalo Sabres' Mattias Samuelsson, right, tries to stop Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Kuraly on a breakaway during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Buffalo Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, left, makes a save against Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Kuraly during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau, left, looks for an open shot as Buffalo Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protects the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin, left, and Columbus Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov fight for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Columbus Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson, left, clears the puck past Buffalo Sabres' Peyton Krebs during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
            
              Buffalo Sabres' Tage Thompson, right, keeps the puck away from Columbus Blue Jackets' Gavin Bayreuther during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Thompson nets 4 in 1st, 5 overall, as Buffalo tops Columbus