The Buffalo Sabres can't finish, at least not consistently, and it's become a growing concern as the team attempts to navigate an erratic start to the season.
Buffalo, which finished fifth in goals scored per game in 2025-26 (3.45), is still generating its fair share of chances. It ranks seventh in expected goals per 60 minutes (3.52), per Natural Stat Trick. Yet, the club has dropped to 21st in goals scored per contest (2.94).
Every time it feels like the Sabres might be turning a corner, such as when they scored five goals on 36 shots in Friday night's win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, there's a game like Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights to squash the enthusiasm.
They dominated the first period against Vegas, winning the shot battle 14-6 and generating 1.6 expected goals (via HockeyStats.com). They failed to score, however, and then Jack Eichel and Co. completely took over midway through the second period.
Those type of games are starting to feel like déjà vu for Buffalo. There have been countless instances through the first 17 games where it plays good hockey early, can't capitalize on its scoring chances and then watches the opponent seize control.
Tage Thompson (10 goals) and Jack Quinn (nine) have paced the offense, but nobody else on the roster has scored more than four times.
No Sabres skater better encapsulates the issue than Zach Benson. The hardworking winger is playing at an elite or near-elite level in pretty much every area, but he just can't find a way to finish the multitude of scoring chances he's been able to create.
Here's a look at the Buffalo players with the highest goals below expected in 2026-27 (via NST):
Player | Goals Below Expected |
|---|---|
Zach Benson | 7.79 |
Josh Doan | 2.49 |
Noah Ostlund | 1.89 |
Jason Zucker | 1.34 |
Peyton Krebs | 1.13 |
Benson's total is the highest in the NHL. He's scored twice but should be knocking on the door of 10 goals already. Only one other player in the league (Joel Eriksson Ek of the Minnesota Wild) is more than six goals below expected.
Although there have been glimpses of the Sabres offense getting back to last season's standard, they haven't sustained it long enough to go on an extended run.
That'll have to change if Buffalo is going to start climbing the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference standings once again.
Meanwhile, let's take a look back at Friday's win over the Blue Jackets for the latest edition of our Sabres player grades series.
Struggling Buffalo Sabres players shine in win over Columbus Blue Jackets
Sabres Player Grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Josh Norris | 9 |
Josh Doan | 8.5 |
Owen Power | 8.5 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 8.5 |
Jack Quinn | 8 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 8 |
Zach Benson | 7.5 |
Noah Ostlund | 7.5 |
Tage Thompson | 7 |
Peyton Krebs | 7 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 6.5 |
Jason Zucker | 6 |
Jiri Kulich | 5.5 |
Zach Metsa | 5.5 |
Olen Zellweger | 5 |
Conor Timmins | 5 |
Sam Carrick | 4.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 4 |
Tyson Kozak | 3.5 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Josh Norris
Good things tend to happen when Josh Norris shoots the puck, but it's something that hasn't been happening enough this season. He's recorded just 21 shots on goal through 17 appearances, which is a major reason his offensive production is down across the board.
Friday's lopsided win over Columbus was a step in the right direction as he lit the lamp twice on three shots and also produced a plus-three rating. It's something a little closer to what the Sabres expect on a nightly basis from their highest-paid forward.
Getting Norris back on track — the injury-prone center scored 34 points in 44 games last season, which is a 65-point full-season pace — would be a major step in the right direction for Buffalo's offense. It's hard to have a ton of confidence given his limited attacking impact so far, though.
Sabres Quick Hits
- Josh Doan, another player who needs to get going offensively, also scored against the Blue Jackets.
- UPL has settled in nicely after a horrendous start to the campaign. Perhaps putting the trade rumors in the rearview mirror has helped.
- Conor Timmins played a solid game in his first appearance of the season.
- The Sabres' fourth line, which was a source of strength during the second half of 2025-26, continues to provide lackluster results in limited minutes.
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