Rasmus Dahlin made history as the first-ever defenseman to tally five points in an elimination game when his team defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Second Round series in Buffalo on Saturday evening.

Dahlin gave the Sabres captain one of the most memorable performances of the playoffs as he contributed to the win that forced a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Second Round.

Buffalo answered the challenge of being eliminated away from home by coming back with poise following a tough first period in Bell Centre.

Dahlin ended up with a goal and four assists, as well as an interview on Sportsnet regarding the pressures of such games and his team’s mindset going into the game.

“It’s good… we don’t quit in this team,” Dahlin said. “It’s unreal to win this game now that we have a chance to advance.” 

“I think the whole group stepped up today to play an A game, honestly,” Dahlin added. “Every individual had one of the best games, just what we need. I’m happy about this one.” 

Buffalo also made an unusual decision before Game 6 by skipping practice at the rink the previous day and the morning of the match. Dahlin believed that the extra recovery time helped the team both physically and mentally after a demanding series. 

“Sometimes you need a little time off,” he said. “Maybe it helped today to rest our bodies. It was one of the reasons why.” 

While the Sabres started the night under a lot of pressure following their loss in Game 5, rather than clamping down, they were at their most aggressive on the attack during the playoffs. Dahlin thrived within the atmosphere and the pressure involved.

“That’s why I play hockey. That’s what I wanna do. I live for this,”  he states.

Sabres explode for seven unanswered goals in Game 6 comeback

The Canadiens were pressured to close the series quickly after a 3-1 lead in the first period at Bell Centre with an 8-3 win. Xhekaj, Demidov, and Evans each scored a goal for the Canadiens, but the Sabres had trouble matching the opponent’s pace in the opening stages.

The lead quickly turned when Jason Zucker scored and narrowed the Canadiens’ lead to 3-2 in a bit too late in the first period. After that point, the Sabres took control.

Buffalo managed to score seven consecutive goals. Dahlin’s game consisted of five points, along with two assists from Tage Thompson. Jack Quinn also scored two goals for Buffalo, which included both of his career first playoff goals. Zach Benson, Konsta Helenius, Zach Metsa, and Zucker each scored one goal.

Buffalo’s Alex Lyon gave up three goals in the first ten minutes and was then pulled out from the game in favor of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who then shut the Canadiens for the rest of the game. Later on, Montreal changed its goaltender, replacing Jakub Dobes. Buffalo scored four goals by then. 

The game ended with Buffalo winning and ready to host the decisive Game 7 in Buffalo on Monday. Both the Canadiens and the Sabres carry some serious momentum in the series.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason