If the Buffalo Sabres third period collapse in the 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday wasn’t bad enough, the news after the game regarding defenseman Rasmus Dahlin served as another blow to a club that allowed five unanswered goals after taking a 4-0 first period lead.
Head coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres team captain — who played 17:16 in the game – left after the opening shift of the third period with back spasms and did not return. Ruff indicated that back spasms caused Dahlin to miss significant time during training camp.
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The Sabres held a 4-1 lead entering the third period, but without Dahlin, Buffalo allowed 17 shots on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, two goals from Joel Kiviranta and Logan O’Connor in the first five minutes of the final frame, a tying goal from Nathan MacKinnon, and Artturi Lehkonen’s game-winner with 4:22 remaining in regulation.
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