Buffalo Sabres: Should Mattias Samuelsson pair with Dahlin?

The Buffalo Sabres would love to pair Owen Power with Rasmus Dahlin in the future. But is Mattias Samuelsson a better fit on the first pairing?

The Buffalo Sabres realize that, sometimes it is best to place complementary players on their line combinations and defensive pairings. So while pairing the two-way Power with the two-way Dahlin may augment the team’s scoring effort, the complementary role Samuelsson plays has opened things up for the Sabres star player.

Here is one statistic that jumps out: Dahlin has seven points in the last four games when lining up alongside Samuelsson on the first pairing. Dahlin, who is back to playing the right side situationally, can rely on Samuelsson’s physical presence to disrupt their opponents’ top scoring lines, further creating opportunities.

Will the Buffalo Sabres continue pairing Samuelsson with Dahlin?

The brewing dynamic duo can also switch sides at will. On the penalty kill, Samuelsson mans the left while Dahlin takes the right. However, at even strength, it is common to see Dahlin return to the left while Samuelsson shifts right.

It is also common to see Dahlin manning the right when the Sabres skate into the offensive zone. And it makes sense, with more opportunities to create more scoring opportunities from the right as it gives the left-handed shooter more space to work with in the offensive zone.

And dating back to April 16th, this strategy has worked wonders, with Dahlin logging four assists in as many games. As for Samuelsson, the job description is easy: Disrupt the opponent’s play, give the puck to Dahlin, repeat. 

The flexibility the duo possesses to change sides at will depending on the situation gives the Sabres something to work with moving forward. Dahlin and Samuelsson, both 22, are among the youngest defensive pairings in the NHL. And it is possible to see them lining alongside one another long-term.

Overall, the two complement each other in ways that Dahlin wouldn’t be able to with Power or even former linemate Henri Jokiharju. At least for the time being, Power and Jokiharju need to be on the same pairing while Dahlin and Samuelsson continue to join forces.