Rasmus Dahlin’s ridiculous start earns him NHL first star of the week honours: Around the League

If you’re a Canucks fan, you’ve almost certainly heard about Rasmus Dahlin’s torrid start to the season, but just in case you hadn’t, the league, and us, are here to tell you all about it.

The Buffalo Sabres’ defenceman has tallied five goals in his first five games of the season, tying the Sabres’ franchise record held by former Canuck Thomas Vanek and Gilbert Perreault, both of whom are forwards.

On top of tying the Sabres’ franchise record for longest goal streak to begin a new season, Dahlin also extended his NHL record for the longest goal streak to begin a season by a defenceman.

Dahlin has also added three assists to give him the league lead in both goals and overall points by a defenceman.

The Swedish rearguard scored his fifth goal to tie the franchise record season-starting goal streak Saturday night when he opened the scoring in the Sabres’ 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Dahlin obviously won’t keep up these numbers and this pace over the course of a full season, but the first overall pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft certainly looks poised to come into his own as the Sabres’ #1 defenceman in his fifth season in the NHL.

Joining Dahlin on the NHL’s three stars of the week list are Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

Tkachuk currently sits at four goals and four assists through five games this season, and Blackwood went three for three last week, tallying a .932 save percentage in the process.