(WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin got off to a good start at the 2026 Winter Olympics, as his three assists helped lead Sweden to a 5-2 win over Italy in their opening game.
Dahlin was on the ice for two goals against, but neither were even remotely his fault.
On the first one, goalie Flip Gustavsson (Minnesota Wild) shoveled a puck right to an Italian player and it was 1-0.
Later, Sweden got caught in a horrific change, costing them another. Dahlin was coming off the bench, but there was nothing he could do to catch up to the play.
Dahlin was usually playing right defense with defenseman Gus Forsling (Florida Panthers). They played together in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament too.
Dahlin was very active in the offensive zone, though.
On Forsling’s goal, he retrieved the puck off the wall and got it to Jesper Bratt (New Jersey Devils), who found Forsling.
On another goal, Dahlin brought the puck down the middle to the crease. He got his own rebound, and kicked the puck to winger Will Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs) for the goal.
It was such a weird game, as midway through the contest, was 2-2, but the shots were 33-4 in favor of Sweden.
Italy's starting goaltender Damian Clara did the best he could for 46:08, but he had to leave after an injury. He stopped 46-of-49 shots faced.
The 21-year-old was a second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2023 NHL Draft. During the 2024-25 campaign, Clara played two games in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.
Davide Fadani took his place and played 13:52, allowing one goal on 11 shots faced.
Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers) made the score 4-2 for Sweden after receiving a pass from Dahlin.
Dahlin played 19:52 of total ice-time, but is still not on the penalty kill. In three career Olympic games, Dahlin has four assists.
Sweden’s 60 shots on goal set a new Olympic record in the NHL era.
Tage Thompson gets to work for Team USA on Thursday against Latvia.
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