Granato lauds Dahlin's 'fearless' example after hesitant start vs. Sharks

Don Granato challenged his players to rid the hesitation from their game after falling behind 3-0 during the first period against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Granato pointed to one player in particular as an example to follow.
"I pointed out Rasmus Dahlin after the first period to the rest of the team and I pointed out why I love watching that guy play," Granato said. "It's fearless. … No hesitation. That's why he's a hell of a player right now and that's why he's gonna become a better player every day.
"We need to play collectively that way. You can go through that film and there was way too much hesitation in just a couple of guys, a few guys. That costs you."

The Sabres took the message to heart and outshot the Sharks, 31-10, the rest of the way (including a 22-5 edge during the third period). Their attempt at a comeback fell inches short when Tage Thompson was unable to connect on a bouncing rebound in the dying seconds of a 3-2 loss at KeyBank Center.
But it was Dahlin that remained top of mind for Granato afterward. The 21-year-old defenseman exceeded 27 minutes for the third straight game, this time skating a season-high 28:47. He tallied 11 shot attempts (also a season high), including five shots on goal. The Sabres out-attempted the Sharks by a lopsided margin of 30-14 when Dahlin was on the ice at 5-on-5.
He was active in the offensive zone, including when he drew a cross-checking penalty against Andrew Cogliano during the third period. His assist on Zemgus Girgensons' power-play goal, which cut the deficit to one with less than two minutes to play, was his 22nd point of the season.

"You could make a highlight reel of his clips tonight," Granato said. "… It was just shift after shift for him tonight that he was good. Every possession he seemed to make something happen through five guys."
That the 21-year-old remains willing to attack the game in spite of playing under the microscope as a No. 1 overall pick is what has Granato most impressed. Granato has preached playing without fear of mistakes as a necessity for growth since the start of training camp.
"Just watch that guy," Granato said of Dahlin. "Absolutely amazing. Something goes wrong, he elevates. And you guys have seen it in this room. If something goes wrong, it's a turnover, he's trying so damn hard the next time, he might turn the puck back over but he's trying, he's fearless."
Granato was disappointed in that regard after the first 20 minutes. Matt Nieto opened the scoring after a turnover in the corner. Timo Meier utilized a screen to score on a long-range shot, after which Tomas Hertl scored as the trailing man on a 2-on-1 rush.
Though the Sabres turned it around, that disappointment lingered after the game.
"We played with too much fear in the first period, which is hesitation," he said. "We needed to get rid of that. We did a better job the second two. All the frustration you hear in my voice is that."

In the zone

Granato said he gave no thought to pulling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after the three-goal first period, a credit to the goaltender's body language.
"He's in the zone right now," Granato said. "He wants to play hockey. He's hungry to play hockey and he believes in his ability right now, specifically at this level. And it's fun to watch. So, no, I didn't have any doubt or concern with him and he was great the rest of the way."
Luukkonen finished with 18 saves on 21 shots. He was screened by a teammate on Meier's goal, which was scored from above the left faceoff circle.

"There's really no point in looking back at those things," Luukkonen said. "I mean, if they score one or two or three, it doesn't matter. In the end, you just have to focus on the game in front of you."

Skinner, Girgensons fuel comeback effort

Jeff Skinner put the Sabres on the board during the second period, sending a shot in off the crossbar for his 11th goal of the season.

Girgensons - returning from a three-game absence due to COVID protocol - cleaned up a rebound after Thompson ripped a one-time shot off the post for Buffalo's second goal.

Girgensons has seven goals in 31 games, the second highest per-game average of his career (0.23).

Up next

The Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. It will be "Hometown Heroes Night" at KeyBank Center, with special tributes to veterans and active military members, first responders, and frontline workers throughout the game.
Tickets are available here.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. The puck drops at 7.