The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens played a hard-fought game on Saturday night, which the Canadiens were able to win 4-2. It was a great atmosphere at KeyBank Center, but Rasmus Dahlin had a message for the fans as at certain times it sounded more like the Bell Centre.
After the game, Dahlin was asked about the atmosphere and said, "I really, really appreciate the fans that came out, but I don't want to see that many red [in the stands] in the future."
One of the strengths of the Buffalo fanbase is that they can give their team a huge home advantage, whether that is the Buffalo Bills or, recently, the Sabres. However, there is no question that the Canadiens had a vocal fanbase at the game on Saturday that ate into that advantage.
Buffalo Sabres slip into a Wild Card spot after Canadiens loss
The game on Saturday was only the fourth time in the past 25 games that the Buffalo Sabres suffered a regulation loss. It also is only the second time all season that they suffered a regulation loss after having the lead going into the third period.
This recent run has put them right back into the playoff picture, but with the loss to Montreal, they move down one spot in the Atlantic Division and fall into a Wild Card spot. There is no question, especially after Alex Tuch's comments after the last game, that the playoffs are on the mind of this Buffalo Sabres team.
They not only want to make the playoffs, but also make a deep run. For that to happen, they are going to need to have great home ice advantage, and that is why Dahlin probably made the comment he did.
The Sabres have a chance to reclaim their momentum on the road against Florida and Tampa before returning for their final home game before the Olympic break against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dahlin has sent a message to the fan base that he wants to see a sea of blue and gold in that final home game before the Olympics.