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Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin ruled out after receiving elbow from Lightning's Erik Cernak

arun srinivasan
Contributing Writer
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres takes off his helmet after he starts bleeding during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Scott Audette /NHLI via Getty Images)
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres takes off his helmet after he starts bleeding during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Scott Audette /NHLI via Getty Images)

Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin will not return to Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after receiving an errant elbow from Erik Cernak.

Dahlin enters the offensive zone and dishes the puck into the corner to a teammate. Shortly after releasing the puck, while being chased by Yanni Gourde, Dahlin took an elbow from Cernak and immediately clutched his face.

The Sabres ruled Dahlin out of the game shortly thereafter with an unspecified injury.

Making matters worse for Sabres fans, Cernak did not receive a penalty.

Shortly after the game ended, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Cernak will face a hearing for his hit on Dahlin.

Dahlin has been a staple of the Sabres’ core since being selected first overall in 2018, posting a goal and 16 points in 23 games this season.

It will be a devastating loss for the Sabres if Dahlin is out for a prolonged period as the club is in the thick of the hotly-contested Atlantic Division race.

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