Shutdown Pair

Tag: Rasmus Dahlin

  • Double Trouble

    Double Trouble

    The game started exactly how you’d want – Tage Thompson getting a goal, tapping in a shot/pass from Dahlin. That was the last time Buffalo looked decent (other than some saves from Lyon) until the third period as the Canadiens scored 4 unanswered en route to a 6-2 win. Dahlin had the other Sabres goal to briefly make things interesting at the end of the second on into the third.

    Beyond Tage and Dahlin showing up for work, there weren’t a ton of bright spots out there. Benson was still a pest and created some great chances, Dahlin’s goal was on the power play, which looked like an actual functioning unit for a stretch of the third.

    I’m curious to see what changes are made, if any. I don’t think Lyon was a problem, he made some monster saves despite the goals but I would understand if a shakeup happens. Logan Stanley was in full oaf mode (derogatory):

    For the love of GOD Stanley do not get behind the Canadiens net!!!

    — TheTickMS (@thetickms.bsky.social) 2026-05-11T01:27:13.065Z

    If there is one guy who shouldn’t be in deep in the offensive zone, it’s the giant lumbering defenseman who skates about as fast as I walk. Carrick was back, Zucker seemed to be limited – I haven’t seen anything from Lindy as I write this, but he took shifts through the whole game, just not many), Quinn was still rough, so there’s room for shuffling.

    It’s okay to be worried, but most playoff series aren’t cakewalks. Montreal beat Tampa Bay to get here, they’ve got their guys too. I’ll let Dubs finish it off:

    This is still fun as balls, don’t let yourself be convinced it’s not. Let the players worry about the loss, crack another beer and get ready to drown yourself in work tomorrow and Tuesday so the clock moves faster.

    — Matty Dubs (@theycallmedubs.bsky.social) 2026-05-11T02:07:06.062Z

    See you Tuesday.

  • The Vibes are GOOD

    The Vibes are GOOD

    Okay, so last night’s game ended GREAT (5-0!) despite getting heavily outshot in the first two periods. Colten Ellis stood on his head, his back, his elbow, and every other part for his first career shutout while the Sabres offense woke up for 4 goals in the third period.

    But honestly? WHO CARES IT WAS SO MUCH FUCKING FUN! The crowd was rocking, singing along with songs, chanting at the terrible officiating (some things never change), and booing Columbus whenever possible.

    It wasn’t perfect as I felt like Buffalo wasn’t being physical, and had a little bit of their previous passing problem, but they figured it out in the third. Peyton Krebs opened the scoring in the first, and the lights-out play by Ellis kept that as the winner. Josh Doan scored twice, including an amazing individual effort where he stole the puck right off the stick of Charlie Coyle and fired it home. Jack Quinn scores the next one on a 4 on 2 breakaway, and Doan gets his second moments later on a beauty of a feed by Hobbit/Vampire Zach Benson (seriously, look at any picture of him). Dahlin finished things off with a 200 foot empty net goal.

    Buffalo now sits at 106 points, tops in the Eastern Conference. They play in Chicago Monday, and the final *regular season* game of the season if Wednesday at home against the Dallas Stars. What a ride the past few months have been.

  • Handling Disappointment

    Handling Disappointment

    So, your favorite team lost. And just after you really got into them (or back in). How rude! It can be hugely frustrating to watch the Sabres make a bunch of mistakes and lose, so how do you put up with it for 80+ games? As someone who in part stepped away from fandom spaces because I couldn’t handle how mad it made me, I have some tips.

    1. Find the good – In even the worst-played game, some fun stuff happens. For example, UPL had some great saves. Maybe the sight of Zach Benson annoying the shit out of some Bruin twice his size makes you chuckle.
    2. Figure out why your coach loves a guy – “Man, why is this guy playing over X?” We’ve all had that thought about some player on our teams. See if you can figure out what Lindy sees in him. Maybe he wants a bigger guy to hit/absorb hits. Or he needs someone he can trust to get out of the zone (heaven knows the Sabres could’ve used better passing last night).
    3. Learn something new – Have you ever really watched line changes? Or faceoffs? What “job” does a certain player have on the power play or the kill? It can be interesting to pay attention to one specific area you don’t often think about.

    Years ago, watching a terrible loss or a lackluster effort would’ve driven me mad. I’ve managed to work on that part of myself, and have learned to enjoy the good parts of sports and shake my head and laugh. After all…

    Also, if you need a feel-good moment, here’s video of Sabres fans welcoming Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancée back to Buffalo. Carolina Matovac nearly died while on vacation last summer in France, and ended up having to get a heart transplant. She was finally able to return here this week.

    ESPN has the full story, but please note that it’s pretty harrowing, and does involve the loss of their unborn child.

    Buffalo returns to action tomorrow night against the Detroit Red Wings.