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3 areas the Buffalo Sabres must improve after the All-Star Break

By Sion Fawkes

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 01: Henri Jokiharju #10 and Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Thompson's third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 1, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 01: Henri Jokiharju #10 and Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Thompson's third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 1, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Feb 1, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Buffalo Sabres players celebrate a goal scored by Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Buffalo Sabres players celebrate a goal scored by Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Creating scoring opportunities

The Sabres have one of the league’s worst scoring units, regardless of who’s on the ice. How bad is it? Through the All-Star Break, they’re 32nd in the NHL with the scoring percentage chances in their favor at just 44.3%. They’re also 31st in the league with just 813 scoring chances for.

So it should come as no shock that they’re 25th in the NHL in goals scored, with just 117 on the season. They also have a tough time maintaining possession of the puck, allowing their opponents 1,021 scoring chances this season, one of just 11 teams to encroach the infamous 1,000-mark.

To fix this, the Sabres need to find ways to control the puck better following the All-Star Break. They can’t continue to let play after play break down and let opponents dictate their game. it was prevalent against Colorado, minus the first six minutes of the second period, when the Sabres outshot the Avs 9 to 1.

As for the other 54 minutes? The Sabres managed just 22 shots on goal while the Avs took advantage with 35. Right now, the team is not taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they’re given to them, and it needs to change starting on February 10th against Columbus.

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