Sabres’ Power Play Has to Be a Success in 2026-27

The Buffalo Sabres are going to have more stiff competition this season. As the Atlantic division is shaping up to be arguably the most competitive in the entire league, they will be fighting tooth and nail for every single point. If they want to have more success, or even have a legitimate shot at being playoff contenders again, they are going to need to make sure their fatal flaw from 2025-26 is going at full capacity right from the jump: the power-play.

The Sabres Had Too Many Power Play Issues Last Season

Inconsistency, lack of scoring, and a flawed and predictable system so easy to shut down, that they rarely were taken seriously, are all the main issues that the power play had last season. The lack of player diversity, or at least in the choices of who was shooting the puck made it so easy for the opposing team to figure out where a play was developing, and send the puck all the way down the ice. The only success the team ever really had on the power play, came from broken plays, or incredible individual efforts from specific players; namely Jason Zucker and Josh Doan. The system and power play design is what was flawed, and they never truly tried to adjust it.

It doesn’t take much awareness to assume that the primary shooter is going to be Tage Thompson firing off slap shots from the left circle. While he was still able to power a few through, as a whole, he typically missed the net, or the goalie and defenders were so ready for the puck to go to Thompson, that they were all in position to stop him. The Sabres finished 21st in the entire league with a 19.5% success rate with the man advantage, scoring 42 of their 288 total goals scored with the man advantage. This also secured them last place in their division in both power play percentage, and power play goals scored. If they want a real chance at being successful this season, they will need to be much better.

Solutions to Make the Power Play a Success

The simplest answer is to fire the power play coach who has run these two units so poorly, and refused to adjust the system that is in place (aka assistant coach Seth Appert) and replace them with a more proven offensive mind. Since that does not look to be happening any time soon, and the Sabres have to work with what they have, these are some key solutions to make them much more successful.

Have the players move around and be much less static with the puck when in the offensive zone: Their typical passive arrangement while trying to find a perfect pass (mostly to Thompson) needs to be thrown in the garbage. Move the players around, and use different shooters firing from different angles. If the goaltenders can’t guess who will most likely shoot the puck, they wont be set properly when the puck moves. If the plan is still to just always get it to Dahlin or Thompson, all they have to do is wait until it rotates around to either of them before they have to take it seriously.

The “slingshot” entry needs to be adjusted: Too many times, the Sabres use the “slingshot” entry method by taking the puck to center ice, and then using a drop pass to a player coming from behind the net to gain speed and attack the line with numbers. In theory, it is a great idea, but the Sabres do not execute it well by any means. Commonly they make the drop pass to open ice, and there area few second before the speeding player picks it up, causing the rush to need to stand on the blue line, and lose all momentum, or have the speeding player have to make their way through a stack up blue line of 8 people. The Sabres need to bring the puck carrier up quicker to keep the momentum of the play going, and to avoid needing the “double drop pass” reset that they do all too often. Make the pass back crisp and quick, and then attack with the right speed.

Use the Young Players’ Strengths: Jiri Kulich has a cannon for a shot, and should be placed on the opposite circle of Thompson to leave a constant threat of a big one timer from each side. Zach Benson is a gritty hard nosed player that will fight for pucks and be around the net. Stick him right in there and let him play to his strengths. Noah Ostlund is a great passer, and shooter. Having him as a slot option for power play 2 would be one of the most dangerous things they could do. Konsta Helenius has incredible vision, and finishing ability. Use him anywhere along the boards and watch him make plays out of nothing. If they are going to succeed, they have to let the young kids play their parts. Don’t stymie them and have them try to fit the static system. Let them move, let them off the leash a little.

Without a Good Power Play, the Sabres Will Fall Behind Fast

The fact of the matter is that they are betting big on the performances and development of a handful of young players. They are praying that Benson can perform any where close to like he did in the playoffs. They are hoping with all their hearts that Helenius, and Ostlund can replicate their magic from the end of last season too. On top of that, continuing to hope that Kulich has no more health problems. Every single one of these young players will be a key part of making the man advantage successful. First, they have to fix the system.