1-for-46. That was the efficiency of the Buffalo Sabres' power play from April 1 to the end of the series against the Bruins.
If one converted that into a percentage, that would come to around 2.2%.
That's not exactly the power play percentage that a Stanley Cup contender should wield. That's something we would see from the 2020-21 Anaheim Ducks.
But against the Montreal Canadiens, the power play came roaring back to life. The Sabres would score twice on the power play during the opening game of the series, with Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod recording the special teams goals for the Sabres.
While the Sabres' penalty kill gave up a goal on one of two occasions, it was nonetheless able to show its potential. Habs forward Nick Suzuki's goal came with well over half the first penalty kill played, but the Sabres were able to keep the Habs from creating any chances until the dying seconds of their second special teams opportunity.
Revival of the power play should allow Buffalo to reach it's full potential
The Sabres were already a scary good team coming into these playoffs. A 39-9-5 run from mid-December onwards gave Buffalo very good seeding for their first postseason appearance since 2011 while also laying the foundation for one of the most feel-good stories in sports. And even with a struggling power-play in mind, the Sabres did just enough to ride their momentum and surge past the Bruins in the first round.
But if the power play can ride the confidence arising from this first game, then the Sabres might very well be the most dangerous playoff team of the eight remaining.
In terms of the Montreal series itself, a renewed power play could easily give the Sabres a significant advantage. The Habs' inability to get off to strong starts was evident in Game 7, and it played a role in Buffalo's quick start on Wednesday. Buffalo's ability to get through the neutral zone on five-on-five play and create scoring chances forced the Habs to back-check aggressively; the first goal and Suzuki's first-period penalty were ultimately the culmination of the early pressure mounted by the Sabres.
While the Habs were ultimately able to get back into the game, the two power play goals scored by the Sabres helped to give Buffalo the two-goal margin that they would ultimately carry to the final horn.
That said, the Sabres' ability to get set up in the offensive zone was a major issue when it came to the power play's previous struggles. Those were still present in Game 1, and it would often take several attempts to simply establish some sort of offensive zone presence. Two power-play goals are a sign that the Sabres' efforts paid off, but there is still much to be done to turn the power play from a struggling unit into a world-beating one.
What to look for in Game 2?
The big thing to look for in Game 2 will be whether the power play can continue to score and create sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Two power play goals in Game 1 is easily an improvement from the unit's performance throughout the month of April, but it is extremely early to be able to tell whether it's a sign of improvement or if it's simply a lull in an already-concerning lull. But even if the Buffalo power play were to try to score zero power play goals during a given month, it would likely take as much effort as trying to convert every numerical advantage.
If the Sabres can even get one goal on the power play in Game 2, that will be monumental in their ability to put the rough stretch facing the unit behind them.
If the power play can become a more significant part of the Sabres' offense, it could be able to focus on becoming the complete hockey team that is required to earn the remaining three wins that separate the Sabres from their first trip to the Conference Finals since 2007.
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