Rasmus Dahlin has been on a tear for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson leading huge offensive surge

BUFFALO – You have to go back 11 years to find the last time the Sabres showcased an offense this exciting and prolific.

The Sabres’ next goal will be their 222nd of the season, their highest total since they scored 240 times in 2010-11, the last year they made the playoffs. They also scored 221 goals in 2018-19.

Overall, the Sabres rank 22nd in goals scored this season entering Saturday afternoon’s home game against the New York Islanders. But since April 1, they’ve scored 38 times (3.45 a game), the NHL’s eighth-highest total as of Friday afternoon. Since March 1, they’ve scored 81 goals (3.20 a game), the league’s 15th-best number.

“Our offensive game is going to continue to evolve,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Friday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “Actually, it’s a longer process than any other thing, and I think … as we’ve gotten lineup continuity, we’ve been able to build and build.”

For much of the winter, as the Sabres battled a rash of COVID-19 cases and injuries, they were trapped in what Granato called “survival mode.” Then when the lineup reached full strength, they began to turn a corner.

“We’re finally in the part where we have that stability and foundation to build, and … more offense will be the result, I’m sure of that,” said Granato, whose upstart Sabres have compiled a 14-8-3 record in their past 25 outings.

That foundation for next season is just about set. Incredibly, it’s possible every skater who played in Thursday’s 5-2 road win over the New Jersey Devils could return.

“We can start next year building immediately upon the foundation that we’ve been able to put in this year, because our player personnel is going to look very similar to what we had in the lineup last night – very, very similar,” Granato said.

So the offensive output the Sabres keep displaying could be a harbinger for next season. Some of the Sabres’ younger players who have enjoyed breakout years – defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and center Tage Thompson, for example – should only keep improving.

“We’ve scored more goals lately, and it comes with growth,” Dahlin said. “We play as a team now, we put pressure on their players, we get the puck back, our forwards are confident, too. It’s a little bit of everything, I think.”

Center Dylan Cozens traces the Sabres’ offensive surge to “guys getting more confidence as the year goes on.”

“As we start winning games, guys start to kind of feel themselves a bit and the puck starts going our way a little bit more,” said Cozens, who has scored 13 goals this season. “So I think it’s a lot of that. I think it’s mostly confidence.”

Right now, Dahlin, having registered 12 goals and 52 points in 77 games this season, is brimming with confidence. He’s the Sabres’ first 50-point defenseman since Garry Galley in 1995-96.

The Swede, 22, has recorded four goals and 15 points in his last 17 contests. Over a full season, that’s 19-goal, 72-point pace.

“We’re pushing … to get our defensemen more active offensively, and you’ve seen Dahlin’s numbers increase over the last month, and that’s been a real point of emphasis,” Granato said. “You see it in our practices, incorporating the defense, more active. And it’s more than when you activate your D, it’s more scoring out of your forwards as well.

“So, yes, Dahlin’s numbers will improve, but so will the offense.”

Thompson, 24, has scored 36 goals and 65 points in 75 games this season. He has compiled 13 goals and 23 points in his last 20 outings. Over a full season, that’s a 53-goal, 94-point pace.

The American has scored a team-high 10 power-play goals, morphing into a dynamic presence from the circle.

The Sabres’ power play has been lethal since March 27, converting 40 percent of its chances, the league’s highest number.

Notes: Craig Anderson’s assist on winger Kyle Okposo’s goal Thursday was the first short-handed helper by a Sabres goalie since Ryan Miller on March 16, 2006, according to the team. … Winger Jeff Skinner, whose 32 goals rank second on the Sabres, has scored nine goals and 19 points in his last 17 games. … Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has recorded nine goals and 19 points in his last 17 contests.

One thought on “Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson leading huge offensive surge”

  1. So many Sabres scoring at or near 1 point per game. That’s an elite level. Next season is going to be exciting. I understand people’s caution, we’ve been disappointed so many times. But all this season there has been a very different vibe from the past decade’s disasters. It’s a rebuild, but a very dynamic rebuild, with progress demonstrated almost every game. The Sabres are back, and the possibilities seem infinite. About the only real doubt is at the goaltending position, it would be nice to see UPL get a few games again. Regardless, the Sabres are back to being respected, and able to win against any NHL team. The team is in a far better place than just a year or so ago. That is, on the face of it, nearly a miracle. It’s truly exciting to anticipate next season and further improvement. 14 months ago, who would’ve dared to even dream of what has occured in March and April this year? Finally the Sabres are on the right track. Many thanks to Don Granato, Kevyn Adams, and players like Jeff Skinner, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgenson who have worked hard, suffered through hard times, and and have still managed to turn things around in a very convincing fashion. It’s good to be a die hard Buffalo Sabres fan again.

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