Dahlin, Sabres defeat Canucks in OT

VANCOUVER --Rasmus Dahlin scored 48 seconds into overtime to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday.

Dahlin, who also had an assist, cut into the slot and beat Thatcher Demko five-hole with a wrist shot he said was intended for the top of the net.
"It's always just like when you whiff on the shot you always score, so it was kind of lucky," Dahlin said. "I was trying to go bar down. I went five-hole."
Said Sabres coach Don Granato, "Anybody that had any doubts about Rasmus Dahlin, just watch that game. He was amazing both ways. Even the penalty he took, you can see how assertive, aggressive he is in killing a play and wanting to kill a play, and he takes as much pride defensively now and loves the defensive side of the game, and tonight obviously prolific offensively. He's just slippery."

Casey Mittelstadt also had a goal and an assist, and Craig Anderson made 30 saves for Buffalo (22-33-8), which has won four of five.
"We're starting to learn a little bit how to kind of bring it every night," Mittelstadt said. "We knew it was going to be a competitive game, and we wanted to end the road trip on a good note. It's a long flight home."
J.T. Miller had a goal and an assist, and Demko made 26 saves for Vancouver (30-26-8), which has lost three straight and five of its past six (1-3-2).
"I don't want to say the word embarrassing. I don't think that's the right word, but it's hard to swallow," Miller said. "Because for me, I think it's effort based. I think it's will, wanting to play in the playoffs and wanting to beat your opponent. We talked about how late in the season every team is good, there's no excuses. I think they wanted it more than we did today."
Mittelstadt put the Sabres ahead 1-0 at 1:50 of the first period, skating into the zone between Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brad Hunt and shooting glove side from the slot. It was his first point in seven games.
"Obviously, it's been a bit of a tough stretch for me, but that one for sure felt good," Mittelstadt said. "Anytime you can get a goal on your first shift, it's a good start."

Vancouver allowed the first goal in six of its seven games on the homestand.
"Until we figure out a way to come out and take control of the game on our home turf, I think we're going to have a lot of issues," Miller said. "It's too hard to come back in this league every single game. It's just more of the same for me."
Miller tied it 1-1 at 2:21 of the second period when he drove to the net on a rush, pulled the puck from his backhand to his forehand under the stick of defenseman Will Butcher, and shot short side on Anderson just under the crossbar.
Jeff Skinner put the Sabres back in front 2-1 at 3:55. He roofed a loose puck into an open net from the top of the crease after Dahlin's centering pass from behind the net was partially blocked by Tyler Myers. Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau challenged the play for offside, but the call stood after a video review.
Bo Horvat tied it 2-2 at 13:32 of the second with a one-timer from the left circle on the power play after Miller faked a shot and sent him a short pass.

Miller almost scored with 1:14 left in the third period after again getting behind the defense in tight, but Anderson made the save with his right pad.
"There was fatigue in our game, but I love the way our guys fought through and stayed very focused and determined, and 'Andy' made a great save to get it to overtime," Granato said. "When we had a hiccup, Andy was right there."
NOTES:Butcher played 16:06 in his return after missing 19 games with a lower-body injury. … Vancouver defenseman Noah Juulsen played his eighth game of the season, and first since Feb. 9, in place of Travis Hamonic, who was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft earlier Sunday.