The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning delivered one of the most chaotic games of the season on Sunday night. The matchup featured goals, fights, and constant scrums as tensions grew between the division rivals. Sabres eventually secured an 8-7 comeback victory at KeyBank Center, but the physical moments during the game drew just as much attention.
Those incidents are now carrying over, as both teams will meet again later in the season.
Physical Sabres-Lightning Game Raises Stakes for Next Meeting
Sunday’s game between the Sabres and Lightning quickly turned into a physical contest. Several scrums broke out during the first period, and players from both teams exchanged pushes and words after multiple whistles. By the end of the opening period, the teams had combined for 70 penalty minutes as the matchup grew more heated.
The Sabres still managed to secure the win despite the chaotic pace of the night. They completed a high-scoring comeback victory and extended their winning streak. The result also pushed the Sabres into the Atlantic Division leaders.
The win was another strong result during a long stretch of success for the Sabres. One NHL X post pointed out that the team has posted a league-best 28-5-3 record since Dec. 9.
Rasmus Dahlin Records Gordie Howe Hat Trick as Brandon Hagel Draws NHL Fine
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin played a major role in the physical exchanges during the game. Early in the first period, he dropped the gloves with Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh during a full-line brawl that involved multiple players from both teams. Dahlin later contributed offensively and finished the night with a goal and two assists.
Another moment involving Dahlin occurred early in the second period when Lightning forward Brandon Hagel confronted him. Hagel grabbed Dahlin and threw several punches before bringing him down to the ice.
Officials gave Hagel a double-minor penalty for roughing. Dahlin did not receive a penalty for that specific exchange. The NHL Department of Player Safety later reviewed the incident and announced a fine for Hagel.
“Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for serving as the aggressor in an altercation with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during NHL Game No. 1003 in Buffalo on Sunday, March 8,” the league’s Department of Player Safety announced.
The league stated that Hagel was considered the aggressor during the sequence. The fine money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The events from Sunday’s game have also brought attention to the next meeting between the two teams. Bills reporter Sal Capaccio shared an update on X after speaking with Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.
“Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson just told @JeremyWGR and @SneakyJoeSports on @WGR550 that after watching Sunday’s game from the press box Logan Stanley has the next Lightning game (April 6) ‘circled on his calendar,'” Capaccio wrote.
Amid the fights and scrums, Dahlin also delivered a productive night. Sabres reporter Jourdon LaBarber pointed out that the defenseman recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in the victory. Dahlin first fought Raddysh, then added a goal and two assists later in the game.
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The 25-year-old has been among the Sabres’ most productive defensemen this season, contributing on both special teams and at even strength.
The Sabres and Lightning will face each other one more time during the regular season. The final meeting is scheduled for April 6 at KeyBank Center, and the events from Sunday’s game have already added more attention to that matchup.
