The Buffalo Sabres' power play has been a rollercoaster this season-flashes of promise, followed by long stretches of frustration. It's been a recurring issue over the past few years, and while the team has shown some signs of life lately, the inconsistency still looms large. But with the Olympic break in full swing, a couple of Sabres players might’ve just offered a blueprint worth studying.
Let’s start with Team USA’s opener. Tage Thompson, who’s had a relatively quiet season on the man advantage, lit the lamp with a slick backhander on the power play.
It was the kind of goal that reminds you just how dangerous he can be when used effectively. Team USA rolled to a 5-1 win over Latvia, but that Thompson goal stood out-not just for its beauty, but for the positioning that made it possible.
Fast forward to Friday, and it was Rasmus Dahlin’s turn. Skating for Team Sweden, Dahlin scored the lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Finland-again, on the power play. While the result wasn’t what Sweden wanted, Dahlin’s ability to convert in that situation adds another layer to the conversation about Buffalo’s special teams.
Heading into the Olympic break, the Sabres ranked 16th in the NHL in power play efficiency, converting at a 20.1% clip. That’s middle of the pack, but it’s a bit misleading.
They closed out the first half with power play goals in six straight games, a surge that helped boost their numbers. Before that stretch?
Just 28 goals on the man advantage through 51 games-a rate that simply won’t cut it for a team trying to climb the standings.
So what’s going on here? Is it the system?
The personnel? The deployment?
Thompson and Dahlin have combined for only nine power play goals this season. That’s a steep drop, especially for Thompson, who netted 20 on the man advantage just two seasons ago.
His Olympic goal came from a different spot on the ice-down near the goal line, rather than the flank or high slot where he’s typically stationed in Buffalo. It’s a wrinkle worth noting.
During a recent segment on WGR550, Paul Hamilton pointed out that while Seth Appert has been involved with the Sabres’ special teams, the power play ultimately falls under Lindy Ruff’s domain. That distinction matters, especially when it comes to accountability and potential adjustments coming out of the break.
If there's a takeaway here, it’s that both Thompson and Dahlin looked more dynamic in Olympic play-and not just because of the competition. Their positioning, puck movement, and decisiveness stood out. It begs the question: can the Sabres coaching staff take what worked on the international stage and apply it to their own power play strategy?
Tage down low could be a game-changer. Dahlin quarterbacking from the top with better support and more movement could open up lanes that have been stagnant for much of the year. These aren’t radical changes-they’re tweaks based on what we’ve just seen work.
With the Olympic break offering a rare midseason reset, this is a golden opportunity for Buffalo’s coaches to reassess. The Sabres have the talent. Now it’s about putting that talent in the right spots-and if Thompson and Dahlin’s Olympic outings are any indication, the answers might be right in front of them.