When Rasmus Dahlin got selected first overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he was the first Swedish player to be picked 1st since Mats Sundin in 1989. It was with high expectations that Dahlin joined the NHL months after the Draft, and he hasn’t disappointed anyone.
Dahlin has been great in a Buffalo Sabres who’s struggled the last couple of seasons. They haven’t reached the playoffs once since Dahlin’s arrival, but this year, they’re looking sharp.
They’re the third-highest-scoring team in the league, and Rasmus Dahlin is a top defenseman in the league. With 50 points in 43 games, Dahlin is second in points for defensemen only behind Erik Karlsson, and as of now, he’s a certain finalist for the Norris Trophy this summer.
Dahlin had two straight games without a point heading into Thursday’s matchup against the New York Islanders. But he was, once again, instrumental for the Sabres and put up two assists in the 3-2 OT win.
Dahlin recorded a helper to Alex Tuch, who scored the 1-1 goal in the second period. The game was tied 2-2 after regulation, but the Sabres didn’t take long to decide the game in overtime.
Dahlin got the puck in his own end straight after the opening OT face-off, and with a magical pass, he showed what a special player he is.
Dahlin saw an opening that few others would, and with a delightful lob pass, he set up Dylan Cozens, who scored the decisive 3-2 goal.
Dahlin jokingly said he had ”500,000 thoughts running through his mind” as the puck went over the Islanders defenseman and to Dyland Cozens’ stick. What a pass, and what a way to decide a game.
