Regressed power play
The Sabres struggled with the power play and penalty kill all season. And in March, things initially began turning the corner. But, it’s been classic fool’s gold from the Sabres. Since the Vegas tilt, the Sabres are 1 for 14 on the power play, a conversion rate of 7.1%.
While their penalty kill (12 for 14; 85.7%) improved in that five-game stretch, the Sabres struggled enough to find twine during their March 17th to 20th road trip to waste power play opportunities. Their failure to convert didn’t always put them behind the eight-ball, hence their 2-1 record in that timespan. But it will cost them should an opponent put up a high-scoring effort.
The Sabres desperately need to fix their power play woes if they want to build upon their improved outing in March. Until then, the Sabres won’t shake off all the blowout losses. And when they do win, chances are they will find themselves playing an extra period.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)