New York. They themselves believed they were responsible for New Jersey’s bottom of the season last Saturday.
So at Madison Square Garden last night, the Buffalo Sabers instead went on to do just the opposite — beating the league-leading Rangers 5-1.
– A very big victory for us. This is the way we have to play, and then it will be very difficult to play against us, says Rasmus Dahlen when we meet him next.
Even before the tough battle at Madison Square Garden, Rasmus Dahlin said he and his teammates had had a series of serious meetings since Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Devils and were really keen to get revenge.
And then they really came out and supported those words. The Swords dominated from the start, playing with intensity and intensity, taking a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes, and finally winning by an indisputable score of 5-1.
– It was really good. A very big victory for us, this is what Rasmus Dahlin said when he met the Swedish media after a massage session with the masseuse.
– This is not an easy team to face, especially away from home. But we did what we said we would do. We competed harder, won our close matches, and paid attention to every detail. This is the way we have to play, and when we do it is difficult to play against us.
For their part, the Rangers looked visibly pale. It was probably their first period worst All season long. Then they forced themselves to show more enthusiasm and created some chances. But the goal only came when Mika Zibanejad on the power play early in the third period got a clear shot with his patented volley — off a pass from Erik Gustafsson. Otherwise, Buffalo’s Finnish goaltender Oko-Pekka Luukkonen had it all — including the ball that Jimmy Vesey had to kick into the open goal. Somehow, the 24-year-old from Espoo has managed to get the club out and save this year.
– He was quite ill, agrees Dahlen.
– He has been very good for us this year, in almost every game. We need it. Like tonight. He tackled that and instead of Rangers equalising, we could have scored three more goals.
Rasmus himself provided one assist while Viktor Olofsson provided two assists. For young rookie Isak Rosen, there were no points, but in his second game he already got to know what it feels like to win in the NHL.
– It feels very nice, and he smiles.
Rangers star Finn Kaapo Kakko was seriously injured when he twisted his knee the wrong way during a scuffle at the rim. There is a risk that he will be out for a long time.