Two statements can be true at the same time. The Buffalo Sabres have only played two games for this season, and the Sabres need to improve their power play quick. They are currently 0-2, which is OK in a long campaign.
What is not OK, is they have had seven opportunities on the power play, and they have yet to score one goal when a man up. Their only goal this season has come while the Sabres were at even strength.
There was a hope after a preseason that Josh Norris could step up behind Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, but he is now going to miss time. They cannot blame their faults on the power play on injury, though. It seems from top down an issue that if they don't fix, could lead to yet another long season for Western New York.
For example, the opening game got away from them as they lost at home to the New York Rangers 4-0. It was a one-goal game toward the end of the third period. It indicates that if the Sabres had converted at least one of their four chances on the powerplay the outcome could have been different.
The main issue has been passing on the power play in both opening games.
It is obvious there are chances but the passing that needs to be better if they can have any hope on converting. Head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters after the loss to the Rangers spoke to reporters about how off the passing was during the opening loss.
The only improvement at Boston against the Bruins was Jason Zucker's lone goal in a 3-1 loss. But they still went 0 for 3 on the power play. An obvious moment demonstrates the issues that the team is having.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin, who should be one of the better passers, made an attempt to find an open skater while the Bruins were shorthanded during one of the power-play attempts. The problem was there was no skater around and it almost opened a scoring opportunity for the Bruins to score.
It is unfortunate as one of the bright spots has been on the defensive end for Buffalo. They may have found a steady goalie in Alex Lyon, who has played well, but the games have quickly gotten away from the Sabres.
The fanbase is looking for something to gravitate to. One way is when the Sabres go on the power play is for every fan to no longer to cringe when they start their push up the ice.