Toronto, Ontario (WGR 550) - Rasmus Dahlin’s 2024 NHL All-Star Game experience culminated in a 7-4 loss by Team McDavid in the championship game against Team Matthews at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Buffalo Sabres defenseman took part in the first game against Team MacKinnon, captained by Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, in a 20-minute, 3-on-3 exhibition.
Dahlin and ex-Sabres forward Sam Reinhart were reunited as teammates with McDavid’s team, and nearly connected on a goal. The current Florida Panthers forward fed the Sabres defenseman, who hit the post with his scoring chance.
MacKinnon opened the scoring with a breakaway goal on Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck for a 1-0 lead. The opening goal of the exhibition came just over three minutes into the first half of play.
Team McDavid’s answer came several minutes later when Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner scored on a pass from Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki that evened the score, 1-1. Neither side would score again in the first half.
Dahlin had the first quality scoring chance in the second half when he was able to get to the front of the net and record a shot against Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman. However, Swayman was able to make the save and keep the game tied at 1-1 just over a minute in.
The next goal did not come until 4:09 left in the second half of the game when Seattle Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand was able to convert on a breakaway chance and give Team MacKinnon a 2-1 lead. Bjorkstrand was set up by a pass from Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny through the neutral zone.
Team MacKinnon doubled its lead to 3-1 minutes later when MacKinnon scored his second goal of the game, this time on a backhand shot that beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak brought Team McDavid back to within a goal, 3-2, with 31.5 seconds remaining in the game thanks to an extra skater. The 4-on-3 with Bobrovsky pulled helped create the chance that gave Dahlin’s team life with just seconds to go.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied the game with just 5.4 seconds remaining thanks to crisp passing that was started by his Edmonton teammate Leon Draisaitl. The game went to a shootout tied at 3-3.
McDavid and Pastrnak were the only two competitors to score in the three-round shootout, beating Team MacKinnon, 4-3. They then advanced to meet Team Matthews in the final after that group won 6-5 in a shootout over Team Hughes in the other semifinal.
Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller opened the scoring in the final with a goal thanks to a rush toward the net by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews. Keller’s goal gave Team Matthews a 1-0 lead over Team McDavid just over two minutes into the first half.
Jenner answered several minutes later, receiving a pass just inside the offensive zone and used a wrist shot from the slot for the goal. His score tied the game at 1-1 midway through the first half of the final.
Maple Leafs teammates Mitch Marner and William Nylander combined for the second goal for Team Matthews, giving the squad a 2-1 lead over Team McDavid late in the first half. Nylander took the initial shot that was saved by Bobrovsky, but was loose in the crease. Marner was able to swipe the puck into the open net for the goal.
Pastrnak provided the answer for Team McDavid, scoring just over a minute later to even the score at 2-2.
However, right off the ensuing faceoff, Matthews broke to the net and scored to give his team a 3-2 advantage.
On the next shift for Team McDavid, Draisaitl was able to beat New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin to tie the game, 3-3.
Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg’s goal just over a minute into the second half gave Team Matthews a 4-3 lead over Team McDavid. New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal and Detroit Red Wings winger Alex DeBrincat assisted on the first goal of the final half.
Matthews' second goal of the championship came off a one-timer and extended his team's lead to 5-3. Keller made the pass that helped create the opportunity.
DeBrincat scored an empty net goal to help seal the win for Team Matthews 6-3.
San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl was able to bring Team McDavid back to within a pair of goals, 6-4, with a score less than two minutes left in the game.
However, Barzal scored seconds later to re-establish the three-goal lead, 7-4, for Team Matthews.
In his two games played, Dahlin went pointless while playing as Team McDavid's only defenseman on the roster.
