Fans have seen more than their fair share of low points over the past 15 seasons, but this feels like it might be the worst for the Buffalo Sabres. It is only three games into the season, but there are already some very concerning trends that don't feel like it is going to get any better any time soon.
On Monday, they would lose 3-1 to the Colorado Avalanche and now have more losses than goals on the season with a record of 0-3 and being outscored 10-2 to begin the season. Before looking ahead to their next game, which is Wednesday against the Senators, there are some things that can be taken away from this game.
Buffalo Sabres have better start but an ugly finish
There is a lot wrong with this team, but on Monday, it looked like they worked to fix one of those issues as they got off to a much better start than the first two games of the season. In the first two games, the Sabres have come out flat in the first period and fallen behind with the opposing team taking the early lead.
On Monday, the Avalanche would score the first goal of the game, but the Sabres bounced back with Tage Thompson scoring his first goal of the season. The Sabres would control the flow for most of the first period and outshot the Avalanche 13-10.
As the game went along, though, the Sabres struggled to keep the performance up. The Avalanche really separated themselves, and in the third period, outshot Buffalo 15-4. This team has yet to put together a full 60 minutes of good hockey, and it is one of many reasons for their struggles.
Power play once again struggles for the Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres' power play last season was bad and it was hard to imagine it could get worse. However, that is exactly what has happened as the Sabres were 0-3 against the Avalanche with only three power-play shots when they had the extra man advantage.
The Sabres are now 0-10 on the power play this season and there is a case to be made that if they could capitalize on just one or two, they might have a win or two based on when these power plays have happened.
Buffalo Sabres need to keep Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the same line
The coaching staff at least tried to make some changes and didn't run the same lines out there for the game against the Avalanche. The good news is that moving Tage Thompson to center and Alex Tuch onto his line with Josh Doan worked pretty well.
It helped generate some offense in the first period, and Thompson scored his first goal of the season. There are some changes that are going to be made ahead of the game on Wednesday, as Zach Benson hopefully is able to return.
The question is, do they put Benson on Thompson's line or stick with what they had Monday? It will be a tough decision because the line for the game played pretty well.