EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Rasmus Asplund is biased. We’ll get that out of the way first.
“He’s my best friend,” Asplund said about Victor Olofsson. “He probably knows more about me than my parents.”
Still, Asplund doesn’t seem like the lying type. So, when he gives this review of Olofsson’s season with the Sabres, it’s worth something.
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“He’s working his ass off every day to become better,” Asplund said. “I think this year you can see the fire in his eyes.”
You can also see the reflection of a goal light. Olofsson leads the surprising Sabres with four goals and eight points in seven games. As he practiced in Toyota Sports Performance Center on Friday, the winger’s point total ranked 23rd in the NHL, tied with perennial producers Vladimir Tarasenko, Claude Giroux and Dylan Larkin.
“Ever since I got to North America, I’ve been working and working very hard to get better without the puck, get better defensively,” said Olofsson, who’s in his fourth season in North America and with the organization. “I also want to be better with the puck and create more chances offensively.
“I think I’m on the right track here. I just feel more confident.”
Olofsson’s early reputation was as a power-play specialist. The first eight goals of his career came with the man advantage, setting an NHL record. This year, three of his four goals and five of his eight points have come at even strength.
“He wants to make plays, wants to be a player who makes a difference out there,” Asplund said. “It’s great for him, and it’s great for the team.”
One of the best pure snipers in the game — most Olofsson highlights feature him picking a corner of the net from the right circle — the winger opened the Sabres’ four-game West Coast trip with a game-winning assist. He took advantage of young Ducks center Trevor Zegras in overtime Thursday, setting up Asplund for a celebratory tap-in.
What a great play from Olofsson! Asplund with the OT winner 4-3 #LetsGoBuffalo #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/VNlOYpcfcs
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 29, 2021
“I just saw they had Zegras back there, and I know as a forward you’re not always very comfortable in those situations,” Olofsson said. “I just wanted to go at him and take advantage of it. It worked out, and I’m happy for that.”
Seeing his buddy wide open in front added to the fun factor. Coach Don Granato knows two have a bond and a friendship, which is part of the reason they were out there during overtime. Olofsson and Asplund also flank center Tage Thompson on Buffalo’s most-used line.
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“You sense (that friendship), you feel that and you see it,” Granato said. “It’s always nice to have a type of camaraderie within your mix. Those guys are such good friends and good people to everybody, so even that friendship will feed off into others and carry into the rest of the group.”
Though Olofsson and Asplund are from Sweden, their bond formed in Rochester. Both moved to North America for the 2018-19 season. They spent that year as go-to guys with the Amerks, learning about the game and each other.
“We have a pretty good chemistry,” Asplund said. “That’s just translating into the game, and we’re trying to have a lot of fun playing out there. We talk about everything. He can come to me and say, ‘I want you to do this,’ and I can be the same way with him.
“It’s everything, not just hockey. We talk to each other a lot every day. We’ve been through some tough times, some good times. I think that’s just made us stronger.”
Olofsson served as more of a complementary player during his first two NHL seasons, skating next to Jack Eichel. He’s getting a chance to drive the play now, and Asplund and Olofsson are certainly holding their own. In nearly 83 minutes of ice time, according to Natural Stat Trick, the duo has a 53.5 Corsi, a 38-35 edge in scoring chances and is even in high-danger chances at 18-18. The goals are 3-3, a touch under their expected goals percentage of 53.6.
“We know where have each other on the ice,” Olofsson said. “We think hockey the same way and want to play the game the same way. It’s really easy being out there with him. He’s been phenomenal for us.”
Asplund has three goals and five points. It’s all happening with Thompson serving as the center despite never playing in the middle during his previous four seasons.
“Tommer is a nice complement to them,” Granato said. “He can hang on to pucks and extend possession. They’ve found a rhythm.”
Obviously, so have the Sabres. They’ll carry a 5-1-1 record into Sunday’s game against the Kings.
“When the game is on the line, we don’t panic,” Olofsson said. “We’re confident right now.”
(Photo of Victor Olofsson: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
