Rasmus Dahlin scored twice and had an assist, and the Buffalo Sabres capitalized on a five-goal first period in a 8-2 win over the New York Rangers.

Each of the coaching points delivered by Lindy Ruff in the practices leading into the game were executed by Rasmus Dahlin from start to finish.

Ryan McLeod scored twice, and Jason Zucker had three assists for the Sabres (23-27-5), who took a 5-0 lead in the first period on the way to their fifth win in six games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 26 saves.

For three grueling, up-tempo practices coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Buffalo Sabres focused on pushing the pace. They wanted to hit the ground running to begin the final stretch of the season, which they enter with lofty expectations. It had to start with Game No. 1 against the New York Rangers.

FINAL | Sabres 8 - Rangers 2 Rasmus Dahlin speaks to the media Ryan McLeod speaks to the media Jordan Greenway speaks to the media Lindy Ruff speaks to the media The Sabres host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, which is **Black History Celebration** at KeyBank Center. Tickets are available here.

I’ve seen probably all 483 games that Rasmus Dahlin has played, but Saturday’s win over the New York Rangers was probably the best game I’ve ever seen him play. It wasn’t just the two goals and three points that he had,

The Buffalo Sabres host the Anaheim Ducks after Rasmus Dahlin's two-goal game against the New York Rangers in the Sabres' 8-2 win.

Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson had two goals and an assist each as the host Buffalo Sabres crushed the New York Rangers 8-2 on Saturday. Ryan McLeod also scored twice while Jack Quinn and defenseman Henri Jokiharju added goals for the Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres scored early and often in their return to action on Saturday, as they dominated the visiting New York Rangers, 8-2, at KeyBank Center. A complete game recap from WGR:

Rasmus Dahlin scored twice and had an assist, and the Buffalo Sabres capitalized on a five-goal first period in a 8-2 win over the New York Rangers BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Rasmus Dahlin scored twice and ...

Rasmus Dahlin skated to the front of the New York Rangers’ net as soon as the Sabres defenseman saw his teammate Jordan Greenway take his spot on the right side of the blue line in the offensive ...