When Tage Thompson’s upper body injury prevented him from attending All-Star Weekend, Rasmus Dahlin filled in for the Buffalo Sabres star.
Leave it to Rasmus Dahlin to pull off his best impression of Tage Thompson at the NHL Skills Competition. Dahlin, attending the event in place of the Buffalo Sabres star forward, posted a 97 mph shot to kick off his chance at winning the hardest shot challenge.
But he knew he could beat that speed. And the star defenseman did not disappoint, pulling off a 102.3 mph shot in Round 2. Only Elias Petterson of the Vancouver Canucks hit a faster one at 103.2. Still though, to eclipse the 100 mph mark means you did something right.
This season, Dahlin’s hard shot earned him plenty of goals – 14 to be exact, in 49 games. In his breakout campaign last year, the Swede scored just 13 in 80 contests, so it’s safe to say Dahlin made the jump that ultimately led him returning to All-Star Weekend, even if the circumstances weren’t as ideal.
Dahlin’s elite shot will continue to help the Buffalo Sabres
Hitting the 102.5 mph mark in the hardest shot contest should serve as a massive motivator for Dahlin. We knew he already possessed an elite shot thanks to his number of goals this season. But now that he knows he can eclipse 100 mph, expect an even more motivated Dahlin to put a few more shots on net past opposing goaltenders when the season continues on February 11th.
But before Dahlin and the Sabres return to action, he has the NHL All-Star Game to look forward to. Representing the Atlantic, Dahlin will play alongside those who are otherwise rivals to try and earn the division its first All-Star Game win. In the current format’s short history, the Metropolitan and Pacific Divisions have dominated, with each division splitting the event with three wins apiece.
Dahlin stated he’s looking particularly forward to playing alongside Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will also reunite with former Sabres teammate and a frontrunner to win the Vezina Trophy, Linus Ullmark.
Article Source: Dahlin places 2nd in hardest shot, ‘soaking in’ All-Star Weekend by Jourdon LeBarber
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