Sabres top blueliner has 21 points in 26 games
Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato indicated after the morning skate in Boston that defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will be a game-time decision for Thursday night’s match against the Bruins.
“We’ll talk to the medical team (later today).” Granato said. “I mentioned (Wednesday) that he had some maintenance and that continues today, so we’ll see where he’s at.”
The 23-year-old blueliner leads the club in defensive scoring with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 26 games, but he and his defense partner Mattias Samuelsson have seen some regression at the defensive end of the ice so far this season.
Dahlin left the ice midway through the morning skate on Tuesday, but scored a goal and played 25:22 in the 5-3 loss to the Wings, but also was -3 on the night. The defenseman did not practice on Wednesday before the club departed for Boston and did not participate in the morning skate.
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen not making the trip due to a lingering illness, the Sabres will go with rookie Devon Levi in goal against the Bruins. Levi returned to Buffalo after being emergency recalled on Tuesday and backed up Eric Comrie against the Wings.
The 21-year-old had his worst outing of the season against the Bruins on November 14th, when he allowed five goals on 18 shots before being pulled in the second period in favor of Luukkonen.
Levi only played two games with Rochester before being recalled. The Sabres are looking for the youngster to get regular work, and with Comrie struggling after returning from the injured list (1-5-0, 4.01 GAA, .863 save %), the game against the Bruins could prove to be an opportunity for Levi to re-insert himself into Buffalo’s goaltending picture.
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