BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres’ first game of the Prospect Challenge at HarborCenter was already going to be a showcase of first-round talent, but it was the newest and brightest young star of the group, Rasmus Dahlin, who stole the show in a 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Dahlin scored twice and set up a shorthanded goal by Tage Thompson in the third period to lead the way. He was looking to make the sold-out home crowd go wild from the get-go. Dahlin led the first offensive rush up the ice seconds into the game and got the crowd roaring.
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“I was excited before the game, and it was great we won,” Dahlin said. “Of course it was a lot of fun to play with all the fans, they were crowded and loud. It couldn’t be much better.”
It only got louder when Dahlin’s first goal went in off a Devils defender and past Mackenzie Blackwood in the second period, giving Buffalo a 4-2 lead.
1st goal for @rasmusdahlin00 – makes a guy miss and fires it by the goalie. #ProspectsChallenge pic.twitter.com/1legjgvqMQ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 8, 2018
Dahlin’s second goal came in the third period and gave the Sabres the lead for good at 5-4. He stole the puck at center ice, got the attention of the Devils defenders when he reached the blue line, then dished a pass to Myles Powell on the right wing. Powell unleashed a big shot from the circle low to Blackwood’s far side that he kicked away … directly to Dahlin, who rushed the zone and deposited the rebound with ease.
Rasmus Dahlin does it again. It's not the goal that's impressive, it's the inital pass and the ability to join the rush & capitalize on the scoring chance. #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/CeNZQpaqZu
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 8, 2018
“You try and teach it, but he’s got the confidence and he’s got the ability to get back,” Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor said. “He’s a smart player, obviously, he knows when to go and when not to go. Those things are hard to teach. His instincts are amazing. A lot of guys wouldn’t have scored his second goal. Obviously, it was a great shot off the pads for him to get that, but a lot of defensemen probably would’ve pulled back on that, and he’s got those instincts to go in there and get that.”
On that goal, Dahlin said he wasn’t thinking Powell’s shot was set up for him to bury but was, instead, going in. Modesty will win him even more fans.
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Victor Olofsson, who had a goal in the second period, was a teammate of Dahlin’s the past two seasons at Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. Dahlin’s performance on Friday night did not surprise him.
“I’m pretty used to it,” Olofsson said. “There’s nothing new for me, that’s the kind of stuff he does. It’s just unbelievable to see.”
Other observations
• Olofsson might be spoiled a bit after watching Dahlin for two years, but he opened eyes with his shot yet again. His second-period goal came from the high slot on the power play after a setup by Rasmus Asplund. Olofsson teed off and sent a headhunter of a shot at Blackwood that caused the Devils goalie to instinctively duck as the puck whistled in over the shoulder.
Olofsson came close to a second goal later in the period. He had a small window in the top corner to shoot at, but the puck hit the crossbar.
“His goal was nice, but the second one off the crossbar was amazing,” Taylor said. “It was on his stick and off his stick and no one even saw it. I thought he played well tonight, even without the puck. He had his goal, obviously, on the power play and that shot, but without the puck I really liked him as well.”
• We’ve talked already about how this is a big camp for Alex Nylander, and if tonight is an indication of how this season will go (it’s a rookie game, I know, relax) then he’s in for a strong year.
Nylander appeared to be doing things differently: He drove the middle lane with the puck, he led the way on the attack with speed and determination, and he made decisions quickly. His shorthanded goal in the second period, making it 3-2, came on a play in which he followed Asplund forcing a turnover and creating a breakout and was the beneficiary of Asplund drawing both defenders. He found himself alone in front of Blackwood for a deke and a backhand goal.
Rasmus Asplund does the work — Alex Nylander puts it home #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/f1R5G09QFf
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 8, 2018
“I don’t know, I think I had a little too much time,” Nylander said. “But luckily I made a quick move, and I scored.”
Yes, he thought backhand the whole way.
(Photo of Rasmus Dahlin: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)