Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: 3 positive takeaways against Toronto

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) celebrates with forwards Casey Mittelstadt (37) and Victor Olofsson (71) after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) celebrates with forwards Casey Mittelstadt (37) and Victor Olofsson (71) after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Buffalo Sabres
Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) skates the puck out of his zone against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Capitalizing on opportunities

The Sabres actually looked good in their 5-0 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They did most things right – they just didn’t score. And unfortunately to win in the NHL and in any sport, you must score more points than the other team.

Against Toronto, the Sabres got it right. They finished 2 for 4 on the power play, which has steadily improved in recent memory. The Sabres also converted five of their 28 shots on goal, good for a 17.8 shooting percentage, over 10% higher than the Leafs last night.

They were also the more physical team, combining for 49 hits and blocks while taking advantage of 16 giveaways. It was a night where the Sabres, defensively, could beat any of the other 31 franchises.

Offensively, the Sabres saw five goals from five different players. Kyle Okposo started the frenzy with a power play goal midway through the first. After the Leafs responded, center Tage Thompson scored early in the second before line mate Jeff Skinner found twine in the third.

Later, Rasmus Dahlin set two new career-highs with his 10th goal scored a quarter of the way through the third period. The goal, plus Dahlin’s assist on Okposo’s power play goal in the first, puts Dahlin at 46 points for the year.

Finally, Rasmus Asplund closed things out with an empty-netter. The goal increased the Sabres total number of goals against Toronto this season to 19.

Home/Sabres News