Dahlin: Sabres' youth 'shouldn't be an excuse anymore'

The Buffalo Sabres were officially eliminated from playoff contention after losing 3-2 to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, extending their NHL-record postseason drought to 13 seasons.

Buffalo is the youngest team in the NHL, but defenseman Rasmus Dahlin doesn't think that justifies the dubious mark.

"We're a young team, but that shouldn't be an excuse anymore," Dahlin said postgame. "We are looking at ourselves in the mirror and we have to be better."

Dahlin has been with the Sabres for the last six of those 13 years. He's committed to the club for the long haul after signing an eight-year, $88-million extension in October.

"It sucks. We have to get better. We got to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said. "We got some work to do and the group is all-in for it."

Dahlin is tied for the team lead in points with 58 and fifth with 20 goals. Only the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks employ leading scorers with fewer point totals.

Buffalo ranks 13th in goals against per game but 22nd in goals for per contest. It was completely different a year ago when the Sabres owned the league's No. 3 offense but the No. 26 defense and missed the playoffs by a point.

Forward Alex Tuch, who co-leads the Sabres in points, believes there are multiple issues with the team.

"Power play could've been better. PK could've been better. We could've won more than two-to-three games in a row at a time. We could've played better shift after shift. We could've done a lot of things better, honestly," Tuch said.

Special teams have been a problem, as the Sabres rank 29th with the man advantage and 15th on the penalty kill. Their longest win streak of the season is three games.

"We've gotta look upon ourselves. There was no one else besides the guys in this room that put us in the position that we're in now," Tuch continued. "Myself definitely included."

Despite the disappointing season, Buffalo's future could be bright. In addition to having a young roster anchored by two former No. 1 picks on the back end in Dahlin and Owen Power, the Sabres have arguably the NHL's top farm system. They're on the cusp.

"We want to do something special in Buffalo," Dahlin said.