Rasmus Dahlin Leaves Practice Ahead of Game Against Canucks

The Thanksgiving Day practice the Buffalo Sabres had consisted of a mysterious disappearance as Rasmus Dahlin left the ice with an injury before line rushes. Dahlin popped on the ice for the initial shoot-around and first drill, before heading off. The defenseman’s status for Friday’s game is uncertain.

“Just a little bit of maintenance,” head coach Lindy Ruff said following practice. “[I] don’t believe it will affect him, but you never know until tomorrow.”

The news comes following Buffalo’s 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night. The Sabres played well against a tough opponent, but couldn’t find a way to score on Filip Gustavsson.

More: Sabres Fall Out of Playoff Spot After Losing to Wild

Rasmus Dahlin Injury

Dahlin missed the entire preseason after suffering an injury on the first day of training camp. He returned for the season opener and has played every game this season. Dahlin’s 19 points in 22 games leads all Sabres defensemen. He’s tied for fifth among defensemen across the entire league.

Jiri Kulich

Ruff praised Kulich for his growth recently but noted he thinks the young forward has more to give.

“I thought it was an average game for him last night,” Ruff said. “I thought there was some better plays to be made last night that you need if you want to be an NHL center. I think a little bit of his youth showed in his game, but he’s doing some real good things for us, too, at the same time.”

Kulich passed up an opportunity to distribute the puck on a three-on-two rush against the Wild. He instead took a lower-danger shot on Gustavsson, which the goalie handled with ease.

“We got to make a better play,” echoed Ruff. “I think in the American League, he could probably score from there. Probably in the NHL, you’re not going to score.”

More Sabres: Rollercoaster Season Taking Right Turn for Sabres in Standings

Sabres Lines

Aside from Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and Henri Jokiharju mixing and matching due to Dahlin’s absence, the Sabres’ lines looked similar to Wednesday’s. Nicolas Aube-Kubel took the first rep with Ryan McLeod and Sam Lafferty on the fourth line, suggesting that he may be in for Beck Malenstyn on Friday.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, donning his red and black gear, worked in the starter’s end. He’s likely to get the call between the pipes against the Canucks.