Breaking down Buffalo Sabres defenseman’s All-Star performance

Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Central Division goalie Juuse Saros (74) of the Nashville Predators deflects the puck against Atlantic Division defender Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Central Division goalie Juuse Saros (74) of the Nashville Predators deflects the puck against Atlantic Division defender Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin impressed in Vegas during All-Star Weekend.

With the Buffalo Sabres off until February 10th for a homestand against the Columbus Blue Jackets, let’s shift gears and discuss defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s performance over All-Star Weekend. As you know, Dahlin served as the Sabres’ representative for what has become a mini-tournament featuring fast-paced, 3-on-3 hockey.

Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Rasmus Dahlin impresses

Dahlin delivered in both the the Accuracy Challenge on Friday and in the All-Star Game, itself. He led for part of the Accuracy Challenge before ultimately dropping to fourth place before logging one goal and one assist for the Atlantic Division in a losing effort to the Central.

Dahlin displayed offensive prowess during his breakaway goal in the second half, something the Buffalo Sabres’ faithful are growing accustomed to when he’s on the ice at the KeyBank Center. He also led the Atlantic in shots on goal with four, over seven minutes and 41 seconds of ice time.

The breakaway was a thing of beauty, poking the puck under Nashville Predators’ goalie Juuse Saros. Check it out for yourself:

Dahlin later provided an assist during Patrice Bergeron’s (Boston Bruins) goal. And he nearly had a second goal, shooting toward the open net only for Minnesota Wild goaltender Cam Talbot to deny him with a save that was 50% luck, 50% skill, and 100% being in the right place at the right time.

Talbot initially appeared to lose sight of the buck following a save from a one-timer effort. He never controlled the puck, and it landed near Dahlin, who scooped it up to log another shot-on-goal, only for Talbot to kick out his skate and finish off the spectacular save.

Overall, Dahlin showed that he belonged right in there with the NHL’s best. And in what has become yet another long season for Sabres fans, he has provided a lot of hope moving forward given his performance this past weekend.