Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will likely have to wait at least a couple of more days to play his 500th NHL game.
Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Philadelphia he expects the illness that forced Dahlin to miss Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Flyers will keep him out of this afternoon’s game against the Washington Capitals.
“He was sick,” Ruff said of why Buffalo’s top defenseman was a surprise scratch Saturday afternoon. “Same thing that’s kind of been going around (the team). I would say doubtful (to play in Washington).”
Dahlin’s absence leaves a huge hole in the lineup. The Swede has compiled 13 goals, a team-best 44 assists and 57 points while averaging a team-high 24 minutes, 18 seconds of ice time in 63 games this season.
With Dahlin sidelined, defenseman Jacob Bryson played against the Flyers after sitting out three games as a healthy scratch.
The Sabres close their three-game road trip Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.
Dahlin’s presence is sorely missed. The Sabres just aren’t the sane without him, as evidenced by the game in Philadelphia. It’s possible they were looking past the Flyers to the Washington game, but they ultimately came up short in Philly. UPL didn’t look particularly sharp after the long layoff. Hopefully he gets back to his old form.