Detroit, MI (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres will have their captain back on Saturday in Detroit against the Red Wings. Rasmus Dahlin is back after going back to Sweden for a week to see his fiancee who is in rehab after a heart transplant. I can tell you talking to Dahlin he looks energized and reports that she’s doing well,
“Yes, she’s an absolute warrior, it’s so fun to see her every day. She grinds every day and she gets better every day and that’s the most important thing, she’s inspired me and a lot of people.”
Dahlin said it hasn’t been easy to be away from the team for three games, but they’ve been super supportive. He said,
“Every single guy in there have supported me and it means a lot for me and my family, so now back to work, I’m excited to come back and battle and to win some hockey games.”
Dahlin knows this team is now the second worst team in the NHL and has a lot of work ahead. He said,
“Turn the page now, I feel way better now mentally and I’m in a good spot, so I’m here to help the team.”
On Oct. 22 the Sabres beat Detroit 4-2 which was Colten Ellis’ first NHL game. He likely gets his third NHL start and Saturday with a 1-1-0 record and 3.06 goals against and a good .910 save percentage.
Buffalo has one win in nine games and going 0-3-0 on this road trip has pretty much assured them of a 15th season of no playoffs.
To make room for Dahlin, Zac Jones was sent back to Rochester.
Detroit has stumbled lately with one win in four games and two victories in six. John Gibson and Cam Talbot had been alternating in net lately, but Gibson had to leave the last game after 40 minutes giving up two goals on 17 shots.
Talbot has been the better of the two going 6-2-0 with a 2.93 goals against and .892 save percentage.
Captain Dylan Larkin leads the Wings with 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 17 games.
Join Brian Koziol at 6:00 for the pregame when you’ll hear from Lindy Ruff and Dahlin.