Dahlin on All-Star Weekend: 'It's important that Buffalo is represented'

SUNRISE, Fla. - Rasmus Dahlin wanted to leave one last mark on All-Star Weekend as the final minute ticked off the clock in the Atlantic Division's victory.
Dahlin was awarded a penalty shot with his team up 6-3 in the final against the Central Division. It was the perfect opportunity to put his skill on display - which he tried to do with a behind-the-legs attempt that just barely deflected off the blocker of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
"Not to jinx it, but we pretty much already won the game, so I tried to do something stupid," he said afterward. "… We were having a lot of fun."
Dahlin scored nonetheless, catching a pass from Aleksandr Barkov in front and beating Hellebuyck with a short-side shot with 36 seconds left in the Atlantic Division's 7-5 win. Dahlin previously tallied an assist in the Atlantic's first game, a 10-6 victory over the Metropolitan.

But Dahlin's presence at All-Star Weekend went beyond the game itself or even Friday's Skills event, which saw him place second in the hardest shot competition at an impressive 102.3 mph. It was a weekend of red-carpet walks, national TV appearances, and podcast interviews - all of which had a Sabres presence because of Dahlin's willingness to drop everything and represent his organization.
"It's important that Buffalo is [represented]," Dahlin said. "We're gaining some respect now, we're playing better. It's awesome to represent my club. I'm trying to bring home the win to Buffalo, so that's an extra good thing."
Dahlin, despite All-Star worthy production, had not been selected to the event as of Wednesday morning. Tage Thompson, who was the Sabres' lone representative, sustained an upper-body injury against the Carolina Hurricanes that night and did not play the third period.
Dahlin was set to join a group of teammates and their significant others the following day on a well-earned vacation in the Bahamas. Instead, he and his girlfriend, Carolina Matovac, hopped on a plane to Fort Lauderdale so Dahlin could take Thompson's place.
Neither would have it any other way.
"I think it's important that someone is representing Buffalo and shows the quality of being a Buffalo Sabre and how fun it is to be in Buffalo," Matovac said. "We could have 10 Buffalo Sabres here if we could. I think it's important to show fans that Buffalo is a really good team."

Dahlin was once again able to show his personality in the process. It was at last year's All-Star Game - his first selection - where fans first began to see Dahlin's true self. He scored with confidence. He practiced goal celebrations with Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. He commanded media sessions.
Dahlin said he emerged from that experience with more confidence regarding his place among the NHL's top players, which he cemented through his career-best production - 14 goals and 55 points, one of the most productive seasons by a Sabres defenseman in decades.
Dahlin has surpassed both of those totals already this season, ranked among the NHL's top defensemen in goals (2nd, 14), points (2nd, 55), and average time on ice (3rd, 26:07). He is on pace for the highest-scoring season by a defenseman in Sabres history.
It's largely the product of Dahlin simply being his true self - confident, hyper-competitive, and loyal to those around him.

"The real Rasmus is a really funny guy," Matovac. "He cares a lot about family and close friends. I think that's very important to him, that he takes good care of the team and the fans and family, friends. He's a really nice guy. Very loyal, very humble."
Dahlin's brother, Felix, woke up Thursday at 4 a.m. to a call from Rasmus, who asked him to join the All-Star festivities. Felix flew from Sweden and made it to Fort Lauderdale later that night to be with his brother.
"He's a family-first type of guy and an extremely hard worker, I would say," Felix said. "... He's a family-first type of guy."
Which explains why Rasmus made it a point to represent his teammates at All-Star Weekend.
"He calls them his brothers," Matovac said. "It's a big family. It's brothers and sisters, the girls and boys, so it's a really good team to be a part of. We have a lot of fun."