Rasmus Dahlin delivered in crunch time, scoring just 1:33 into overtime to power the Buffalo Sabres to a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. The game marked the Sabres’ fourth win in their last five outings, showcasing the team’s resilience despite key absences.
Key Performances
The Sabres leaned on multiple contributors to pull off the win. Alex Tuch and Ryan McLeod each recorded a goal and an assist, while rookie Zach Benson continued his impressive return from injury with another goal. Between the pipes, Devon Levi stood tall, making 24 saves to keep Buffalo in the game.
For the Blues, Brandon Saad was a standout, snapping a nine-game goal drought with two tallies. Pavel Buchnevich also added a goal, and goaltender Jordan Binnington faced a barrage of shots, stopping 29 in the loss.
Pivotal Moments
The Blues looked poised for a win, holding a 3-2 lead in the third period before Alex Tuch tied the game with 7:03 remaining. Late in regulation, Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist’s goaltender interference penalty gave the Sabres a critical power-play opportunity heading into overtime.
Buffalo wasted no time, capitalizing on the 4-on-3 advantage as Dahlin fired home the game-winning goal — his fourth of the season.
What It Means
Buffalo’s Depth Shines: Missing leading scorer Tage Thompson and starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres proved their depth and adaptability with contributions from across the lineup.
Blues in a Slump: St. Louis extended their winless streak to four games (0-3-1), highlighting ongoing struggles on both ends of the ice.
Rookie Rising
Zach Benson continues to impress. The rookie has now scored in three of five games since returning from an ankle injury on November 5. His ability to make an impact at just 18 years old signals a bright future for the Sabres.
Up Next
Sabres: Buffalo embarks on a four-game road trip, starting with a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Blues: St. Louis faces a tough challenge in Boston as they continue their three-game road trip on Saturday afternoon.
Buffalo’s overtime win not only showcased their tenacity but also underscored their ability to thrive under pressure, even against adversity. As the season heats up, the Sabres seem poised to build on their momentum.
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