BUFFALO – When Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund saw his captain, Rasmus Dahlin, down on the ice and the referee’s arm up, instinct took over.
“I thought it was something ugly,” Ostlund said of Brayden Point’s slash on Dahlin early in the second period of Saturday’s 6-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
So the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Ostlund, who did not see the slash, immediately went after Point, hoping to cross-check him.
They ended up dropping their gloves and nearly fighting.
“He stands up for his teammates,” Dahlin said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “You can’t ask for a better teammate (than) that. It’s special.”
While nothing major erupted – Ostlund wasn’t penalized – his quick actions illustrate the tight-knit group the Sabres have morphed into this season.
“It stresses we’re a pack, we’re all in this together,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “You go after my teammate, or if it looks like you’ve gone after my teammate, I’m going to be there. …
“In my eyes, we’ve got tighter and tighter as the year has gone, and we play harder and harder for each other.”
It’s no coincidence the Sabres, who host the Vegas Golden Knights tonight, have gotten better and better as the season has progressed.
Barely a year ago, their tepid response after an illegal hit to the head concussed star center Tage Thompson forced them to cancel practice and air things out in a team meeting. They clearly learned from the embarrassing moment.
This season, one in which the Sabres appear poised to end their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, instant retribution like Ostlund’s cross-check have been a constant.
Simply grabbing a guy, an action Ruff has long stressed, makes an impact. If it’s the wrong opponent, so be it. The intent was there.
“That’s something we want to have in our room, (where) everyone is accountable and takes care of each other,” Ostlund said.
Point hacks Dahlin. Ostlund goes after Point 😂 Thank god Point held up. Ostlund was not penalized either #LetsGoBuffalo #Sabrehood #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/itih996OPn
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) March 1, 2026