The first period was a relatively modest story where the home team went into the break with 1-0 after Thompson opened the scoring with a sledgehammer from the left drawing circle with barely three minutes left on the clock.

In the beginning of the second Olli Maatta equalized for the visitors.

But then the home side took command again with goals from Jack Quinn and Jeff Skinner, both of whom were assisted by Thompson.

When the 25-year-old American then scored 4-1 with only 1.30 left in the middle act, the match felt decided.

Detroit didn't give up, though.

Just half a minute after Thompson's second goal, David Perron reduced it to 4–2.

Just over four minutes into the third, it was time again when Dylan Larkin, in a numerical disadvantage, managed to steal the puck in his own half and made it all the way to the home box and splashed in 4-3.

They did not get further than that, however.

Instead, the Michigan team got to see Buffalo pull away in a big way.

At 12:53, Rasmus Dahlin made it 5–3 on the power play with assists from Casey Mittelstadt and Thompson.

Dylan Cozens improved the numbers even more before it was time for Thompson to push his third bucket.

With 39 seconds left in the match, Rasmus Asplund finished the scoring with a distinct shot from the slot.

Buffalo accounted for the most goal production the team performed since November 3, 2018, when it was noted for nine complete hits against Ottawa.

And Tage Thompson became the first Buffalo player since Pat LaFontaine in 1993 to score six points in a game.

For Detroit, the result means that they have now lost three of the last four games.

MORE NHL: Here Zibanejad decides for Rangers (October 31)

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Zibanejad decided against Arizona Photo: TT