Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin reveals ‘completely different vibe’ around Buffalo amid Stanley Cup push

Not only did the Buffalo Sabres end what was the longest active playoff drought in the National Hockey League at 14 years this spring, but they also defeated the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal to punch their ticket to the second round for the first time as a franchise in 19 years.

Sabres defenseman and captain Rasmus Dahlin, who has experienced plenty of losing during his NHL career that began when he was taken first overall by Buffalo in the 2018 NHL Draft, has noticed a complete vibe shift around the greater Buffalo area thanks to the run by the Sabres that has taken complete hold of the city’s sports scene.

“It’s just a completely different vibe,” Dahlin said via Sportsnet on X. “We obviously see it at the rink, people usually have a lot of Bills stuff in their back yards, but it’s not Bills stuff anymore, it’s a lot of Sabres (stuff). So you definitely see it’s changed for sure.”

"I get chills when I think about it."

Rasmus Dahlin chats with @FriedgeHNIC about what the fans in Buffalo are like, the struggles of once being a losing team, and more!

Watch https://t.co/ElXJ0eVjef pic.twitter.com/BPCqbY7Ui7

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 8, 2026

Every Sabres home playoff game has been sold out, and the crowd of Buffalo fans, many of whom have been waiting years to experience playoff hockey, have been nothing short of electric and a major home-ice advantage.

“I’m trying to find words for it, but it’s hard,” Dahlin said of the feeling of fan support at home games. “You just feel like the crowd is just behind you. Whatever happens out there, they’re behind you. I get chills now when I think about it.”

The Sabres can take a two-games-to-none series lead over the Montreal Canadiens if they win Game 2 at home on Friday evening.

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