It has been a mixed bag for the Buffalo Sabres just four games into the season. They have relied on comebacks and late-game pushes for their two wins to get them to .500 on the start of the year. There is one avenue they have not relied on and need to improve quickly to become a contender.
In the quartet of games, their penalty kill is only at 63.6%, giving the team a ranking of 28th place in the league. It has been rough go of it and something they need to turn around in October or November to not get far down in the early standings.
A victory against the Blackhawks was the only game the Sabres did not allow a power play goal this year
It clearly has been an issue. In a 6-3 loss to the open the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Sabres allowed two power play goals. One of which came at the end of the first period giving the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead. The Sabres never were able to recover after that in the opener.
Leading to the playoffs less than the six months ago, they had a 81.9% rate at stopping the power play. That ranked fourth in the league.
Two major players that were a part of the penalty kill and the Sabres success are no longer on the roster: Alex Tuch and Jordan Greenway.
Tuch was a aggressive forward when down a man. He had nine shorthanded goals the last two years and put the pressure on an opposing team's offense when they had the advantage.
Jordan Greenway, when healthy, was also a key part of the penalty killing unit. For a forward, he had many hits throughout his time with the Sabres and was an aggressor. Zach Benson is physical on the forecheck, however he is smaller than Greenway and might not have as much PK acumen.
If the Sabres can find aggressive forwards like past seasons on the penalty kill, they do have a deep bench when it comes to defenseman.
Louis Crevier does have six blocked shots on the early parts of the season
The defenseman came over in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks and has been one of the bright spots in a mixed start. If he can emerge on the kill, it could be a step in the right direction. Other players will need to step up though if they wish to fix the issue.
As the Sabres continue the start of the year, getting back to the success they enjoyed on the PK last season could play a key role in helping them hit their stride as a whole.
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