The Buffalo Sabres’ season changed the instant their captain, Rasmus Dahlin, began battling back spasms.
After Dahlin, 24, departed in the third period Dec. 3, the Sabres quickly unraveled, blowing a three-goal lead to the Colorado Avalanche and suffering the fourth loss in what would stretch into a shocking 13-game winless skid.
Counting the Colorado game, the Sabres went 0-7-2 without Dahlin, their most dynamic defensemen.
His value was perhaps never more evident than in Monday’s skid-busting 7-1 road win over the New York Islanders.
“We see what a difference Dahlin makes to our club,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in New York.
You think? Dahlin’s presence transforms the Sabres into a more dangerous team. The Swede recorded four assists Monday, the most by any NHL defenseman this season, in the Sabres’ first win since Nov. 23.
“It’s always fun when you get some extra points, but some of those points were lucky points, too,” Dahlin told reporters in New York.
The assist total also tied the single-game franchise record. A Sabres defenseman hadn’t registered four in a contest since Toni Lydman on Feb. 27, 2008. Brian Campbell, Phil Housley and Bill Hajt also recorded four helpers in one game.
Dahlin ignited the power play, assisting on winger Jason Zucker’s goal and Jiri Kulich’s score seconds after a man advantage expired.
“The passes were quicker, we hit the holes quicker some of the opportunities,” Ruff said of the power play. “But … you put a guy like Dahlin on the back end, again, it makes a difference.
“We’ve been pushing a couple of guys in who haven’t been a full-time quarterback. So you always change your power play from one person to another, it’s tough.”
Dahlin returned for Friday’s 6-3 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs but sat out Saturday’s 3-1 road loss to the Boston Bruins as a precaution.
“Couldn’t feel better than I do right now,” Dahlin said. “I mean, we battled for a long time now, and it finally went our way.”
The Sabres have off until Friday, when they host the Chicago Blackhawks following a three-day Christmas break.
Dahlin makes a huge difference.
The entire team gave great effort last night, and their spacing on the ice was much improved.
They shot pucks and got to the net. It’s really not that complicated. Also, they only took one stupid penalty by McLeod.
Would have been a shutout if Power wasnt going half-speed trailing Palmieri. Power almost gave up a breakaway too. Trade him already. He drives me crazy.
If the team can give that kind of effort every night, we can get back in this thing.