Dahlin makes NHL mark, Sabers gives Flames first loss

KALGARY — Rasmus Dahlin became the first defenseman in NHL history to score in each of the first four games of a season in the Buffalo Sabers’ 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Dahlin is also the second defenseman in Sabers history, alongside Phil Housley (November 22-30, 1988), to have a four-game scoring streak at any point during the season.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Dahlin said. “It’s crazy. I don’t know. I really don’t know what to say. It’s pretty crazy to think about it. There are 78 games left. I still have more to do.”

Alexander cloth scored his first NHL hat trick and Vinnie Hinostroza had three assists for the Sabers (3-1-0), who won the first two of a four-game road trip. Eric Comrie Made 40 saves.

“That’s the style of hockey we want to play,” said Tuch. “We want to look them straight in the face. We want to go straight ahead. Playing offense is a lot more fun than playing defense. It really is. We try to play as simply as possible and we just keep going. Whenever we we have a chance to go and it’s fun and we play together.”

Video: BUF@CGY: Tuch scores 3 goals against the Flames

Andreas Mangiapane, Trevor Lewis and Nikita Zadorov scored for the Flames (3-1-0). Jacob Markstrom made nine saves on 12 shots before being replaced by early in the second period Dan Vladarwho made 17 saves.

“You can’t take any team lightly, that’s for sure in this league,” said Mangiapane. “I think when we come in we need to be more prepared and not take a team lightly because they’re going to stab you.”

Mangiapane scored a 4:21 in the first half to give Calgary a 1-0 lead Dylan Cozens 1-1, he equalized at 6:34 when he chased his own rebound off a Deke by tipping the puck over the goal line.

Dahlin defeated Markstrom Low Blocker with a wrist shot from the slot to set the NHL record and give Buffalo a 2-1 lead at 10:49.

“There aren’t many guys in the league who work harder on and off the ice than he does,” said Tuch. “He’s really young and one of the more mature hockey players I’ve played with, on and off the ice. It’s incredible to see. He leads by example and all the other guys follow him. All the other guys want out It’s incredible what he brings to this team. To be honest, he doesn’t get enough credit in this league.”

Video: BUF@CGY: Dahlin scores for fourth game in a row

Casey Mittelstadt short-handed on a breakaway, hit a backhand under the crossbar to extend the Sabers’ lead to 3-1 at 13-10, and Tuch struck 46 seconds into the second period on the first shot that Vladar hit to make it 4-1. Tuch has four goals in a three-game streak.

Lewis shot past Comrie on a broken play at the top of the crease to put it 4-2 at 19:58 and Zadorov hit the short side on a screen 1:09 into the third to put it 4: 3 to bring.

“You have to give them credit, they played a great game and reacted well,” said Flames Nazem Kadri said. “We got one early in the third half and obviously they responded with a goal. So you have to tip your cap, but it was a little too easy for them to break through the neutral zone tonight and that seemed like a bit of a problem for us.”

Tuch shot from Vladar’s blocker on the power play at 5:41 for a 5-3 lead and again at 18:35 into the empty net for a 6-3 final.

“Somehow he always scores when we need to score,” said Dahlin. “He breaks the momentum. He’s such a momentum breaker player. We’re super lucky to have him and he did a great job tonight. Stay hot ‘Tucky’.”

REMARKS: Tuch was the first New York (Syracuse)-born player to score a hat-trick for Buffalo. … JJ Peterka assisted on Dahlin’s goal to tie a Sabers rookie record with a four-game points streak (two goals, two assists) to open a season. Victor Olofsson also had a four-game points streak to start the 2019-20 season. … Flames coach Darryl Sutter coached his 1,401. NHL game and put him in a tie with Ron Wilson for ninth place in NHL history. … Flame Defender Noah Hanifin did not play due to an unknown injury. … Sabers defenders Henri Jokiharju left the game at 4:59 of the first period after taking a wrist shot to the face. There was no update.