Buffalo Sabres: Dahlin and Thompson's Olympic Journey
In a thrilling Olympic quarterfinal clash between Team Sweden and Team USA, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin found himself on the ice against his NHL teammate and close friend, Tage Thompson. Dahlin shared a light-hearted moment from the game, recalling how Thompson chose not to deliver a big hit in the corner. “He decided not to hit me one time in the corner … so that was nice,” Dahlin chuckled after returning from the Milano Cortina Games.
The game ended in heartbreak for Dahlin, as Sweden fell to the U.S. 2-1 in overtime, cutting short his Olympic run. On the flip side, Thompson and Team USA went on to clinch the gold medal by defeating Canada 2-1 in another nail-biting overtime showdown.
Dahlin, 25, expressed his happiness for Thompson, who added an Olympic gold to his impressive resume, which already includes a World Championship title. “I’m fired up for him,” Dahlin said.
“He really deserves it. He was a big part of that team.”
Thompson, 28, has been a powerhouse for the Sabres this season, racking up 30 goals and 59 points in just 57 games, leading the team offensively.
As the Sabres gear up for a challenging stretch of 25 games over 50 days, starting with a road trip against the New Jersey Devils, fans are eager to see when Thompson will return to the lineup. The team, fresh off their Olympic journey, landed in Miami due to a winter storm in the Northeast and received an invitation to the State of the Union address in Washington.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff remained cautious about pinpointing Thompson’s return. “I’m not really gonna say,” Ruff commented.
“We really don’t have anything mapped out right now. It’s going to be a tough two or three days for all of those guys - busy, really busy.”
Despite Sweden’s seventh-place finish leaving a “sour taste,” Dahlin reflected positively on his second Olympic experience. “He’s in a great place,” Ruff noted.
“Physically, (he’s) in a great place. Mentally, there’s got to be a feeling of, ‘I wish it could’ve been us.’”
Dahlin cherished the camaraderie with his teammates and the intense competition, which he believes will prepare him for the Sabres’ playoff push. “Almost every game was a must-win for us,” Dahlin said, emphasizing the pressure and emotional management he honed during the tournament.
In a tense moment against the U.S., Dahlin took a hard fall after a collision with Matthew Tkachuk, leaving Ruff momentarily concerned. Although Dahlin was ready for overtime, he didn’t get the call to play.
“It’s not my decision,” he admitted. “I wanted to be out there, that’s for sure.”
On the injury front, winger Zach Benson is dealing with a new upper-body injury and likely won’t join the upcoming road trip. Meanwhile, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and center Josh Norris, both recovering from injuries, are expected to return to action on Wednesday.
The Sabres are navigating a whirlwind schedule, but with key players returning and the Olympic experience under their belts, they’re poised for an exciting finish to the season.