Rasmus Dahlin records first career hat trick in Sabres' win over Maple Leafs

Buffalo's captain led the team to a 7-4 victory over Toronto with a historic performance.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:31am

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Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dahlin scored three goals and added two assists to lead the Sabres to victory. The win was part of a strong turnaround for the Sabres, who have won 9 of their last 12 games after a slow start to the season.

Why it matters

Dahlin's historic performance comes as he has been dealing with personal challenges, including his fiancée's health issues and the loss of their first child. His ability to excel on the ice despite these difficulties has impressed his teammates and the Sabres organization.

The details

Dahlin scored the game-tying goal in the first period, then added two more goals in the second and third periods to complete the hat trick. He also recorded two assists, including one on the Sabres' sixth goal that sealed the victory. The win moved the Sabres into a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division as they continue to surge back into playoff position.

  • Dahlin scored the game-tying goal midway through the first period.
  • Dahlin scored his second goal late in the second period to give the Sabres a 4-3 lead.
  • Dahlin recorded his second assist in the third period on the Sabres' sixth goal.
  • Dahlin scored an empty-net goal to complete his hat trick and make the final score 7-4.

The players

Rasmus Dahlin

The Buffalo Sabres' captain, who was the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Dahlin is in his eighth season with the Sabres and recorded his first career NHL hat trick in the win over the Maple Leafs.

Tage Thompson

A Sabres teammate of Dahlin's who praised the captain's mental strength and leadership in playing through personal challenges.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that he's here playing hockey competing for us means the world to us. I think that just speaks to his character, how much he loves the team, how much he wants to win. He's not just playing. He's leading by example. I can't say enough good things about him and the mental strength you have to have to be able to do what he's doing is pretty impressive.”

— Tage Thompson, Sabres teammate (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Sabres will look to build on their recent success when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

The takeaway

Rasmus Dahlin's inspiring performance in the face of personal adversity highlights his leadership and dedication to the Sabres, as the team continues its surge back into playoff contention.