The Buffalo Sabres dropped their third consecutive game and now find themselves on the brink of elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoff race in the NHL. Following a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, star forward Tage Thompson issued a strong admission, seemingly hinting at captain Rasmus Dahlinās performance, as he struggled on Bell Centreās ice.
The Sabres lost in dramatic fashion, battling back from a three-goal deficit only to concede the 4-3 game-winner in overtime. All that effort, only to fall short at the finish line. As Buffalo continues to slide down the NHL standings, patience has ran out.
Thompson couldnāt hide his frustration with himself and his teammates after the defeat to the Canadiens, in a critical Atlantic Division duel. After the game, he sent out a clear message, warning his teammates, Dahlin included, about their showing.
āSpecial teams, just in general, let us down tonight,ā Thompson stated, per NHL.com. āWe had plenty of chances on the power play to get back in it, even take a lead, kind of put them on their heels.
Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck during the third period of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on February 27, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
āWe just kept giving them momentum every time they would kill it. And obviously the PK, they get a couple early there, and itās tough when they do that, especially in this building. We definitely made it harder than it needed to be on ourselves. With that being said, we clawed our way back, got a point, but we need that other one.ā
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Dahlinās self-criticism
The Canadiens scored three goals in the opening period, all of them during special teamsā play. Scoring twice on the man-advantage and once in the penalty kill, the home side took control of momentum from the start, though the Sabres clawed their way back.
Rasmus Dahlin played a key role in the Sabresā early struggles, committing three penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the game. However, the 24-year-old redeemed himself by scoring the game-tying goal in the final minutes, forcing overtime. After the loss, Dahlin didnāt shy away from accountability, offering an honest assessment of his performance.
āThatās on me, too, some really dumb penalties,ā Dahlin said. āIt kept them in the game. Every time we were playing 5-on-5 we were in their zone and creating a lot, so itās a tough one.ā
Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his assist on a goal by Alex Tuch #89 during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on March 18, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
Habs on the rise
Montreal won its fifth straight game, climbing into the Eastern Conference wildcard race. The playoff hunt in the East has been wild all season, with teams engaged in a real-life game of Chutes and Laddersāno lead is safe, and no spot is guaranteed.
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In a season full of surprises, the Habs could clinch a postseason berthāsomething few expected from the team in The City of a Hundred Steeples.
