The Olympic break is going to create a fascinating scenario for NHL teams who get players back from the countries that compete for the gold medal.

Do you put them back into the lineup right away on a relatively quick turnaround after spending a few weeks in Italy?

Maybe not, but it’s something the Sabres will only have to worry about with one of their two superstars, not both.

The way the Olympics bracket has broken down, Team USA’s Tage Thompson and Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin won’t both make it to the weekend.

At most, they’ll play on Wednesday in the quarterfinal, and that’s if Sweden wins its first knockout game on Tuesday.

And so at that point, either Thompson or Dahlin would head home. 

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The Sabres return to action the following Wednesday, Feb. 25, against the New Jersey Devils.

There’s always a chance they choose to use both Thompson and Dahlin in that game, no matter what. But at least with one of them, there’ll be less to think about.

Obviously, Buffalo would like all of its players to do as well as they can at the Olympics.

On the flip side, they’d like to get their stars back healthy and in good shape. The Sabres are in position to end their 14-year playoff drought.

To get that job done, Thompson and Dahlin will be crucial.

So getting one of them back a little earlier will be a good deal for NHL hopes.

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