We’re almost at that time of the year when the Sabres look like they’re in better contention to appear in the 2026 playoffs than they are the 2025 postseason. But two of them may taste success in another way, albeit in the most bitter.
See, we’re about three weeks away from the 4 Nations Face-Off, a round-robin style tournament that will pit some of the league’s best players on the league’s best teams against one another. Much better and more entertaining than a single All-Star Tournament that’s often a snoozer to watch as the players give about 50 percent of their effort.
That shouldn’t be the case here, though, as gaining bragging rights for one’s country would at least make this season somewhat successful for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Rasmus Dahlin. In case you haven’t heard, Luukkonen will be one of three goaltenders for Finland, while Dahlin will be a blueliner for Sweden.
For at least one game, there will be no love lost between these two players who suit up for the Blue and Gold, regardless if whether Luukkonen’s in the net when Finland plays Sweden on February 15th.
Two Sabres players will be part of the historic Finland-Sweden rivalry
Just how contested is this rivalry? Well, according to one player currently suiting up for one of the Sabres division rivals, it’s kind of testy. In an article from Sean Farrell of NHL.com, Patrik Laine of the Montreal Canadiens said, "We hate them, that's pretty much it. Nothing else to say about that."
Yep, so that alone tells me that the 4 Nations Face-Off will be fun to watch regardless of who wins. I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing a few sensational games and tension ignite between some of the best players on all of the best NHL teams out there.
So, it’s not just limited to Luukkonen’s Leijonet or Dahlin’s Tre Kronor. But we’ll see the likes of players like Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers square off with Matthew Tkachuk in what’ll help reignite the USA-Canada rivalry or Brandon Hagel vs. Jake Guentzel, both of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
So, while the Sabres may not be the best team in hockey by a longshot this season, it don’t mean a couple of players won’t give us some much-needed entertainment. Luukkonen and Dahlin will represent a pair of teams that are among the most heated rivals in international play, but they’ll be friends again when the final horn sounds, I’m sure.