Buffalo Sabres' maligned power play finally grasps a lifeline

Quite simply, the Sabres' roster has featured far too much offensive talent over the past two years to rank so low on the power play.

Their tactics — an old, tired drop pass in the neutral zone, endless turnovers at the opponent's blue line and an unacceptable lack of movement on occasions where they did gain the line — made it easy for rival clubs to scout and effectively shut down the Buffalo PP.

The frustration was compounded by the fact the coaching staff didn't make any significant adjustments to the unit despite those repeated failures.

Perhaps that's finally about to change heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

Testing of the new approach, if there is one, will be one of the most interesting things to watch during the Blue and Gold's four-game preseason schedule. The first exhibition contest is scheduled for Monday night on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Buffalo's home clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, when more of the projected Opening Night lineup should be on the ice, should represent the first real test.

Improvement on the power play would go a long way in helping the Sabres make a second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the spring.

Projections for Sabres' two power-play groups in 2026-27

Buffalo lost Alex Tuch, who was sent to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer, and they'll be without Jason Zucker (sports hernia surgery) for at least a little bit early in the season. Both players were key members of the team's PP in recent years.

Not having those wingers available creates opportunity for young players to step into more prominent roles. Here's a look at the Sabres' potential first power-play unit:

And a possible PP2 group:

It feels like a perfect time to elevate Zach Benson into a net-front role. His offensive game showcased a lot of growth last season, which culminated with a strong postseason run, and now he's due for more responsibility after signing a long-term contract extension.

The 21-year-old Canadian winger doesn't have an electric shot, but he's a tireless worker with the potential to put together an offensive breakout with more PP time in a role where he can create havoc with his dogged effort around the crease.

Jack Quinn is the other noteworthy member of the top unit. He's stood out during the early stages of training camp, and he'd give the Sabres a dangerous shooter opposite cornerstone Tage Thompson if opponents continue to shade their penalty kill toward the 6-foot-6 superstar.

The second power play will likely receive a shake up once Zucker is ready to return, and it's possible Olen Zellweger pushes Owen Power for that second quarterback spot. Noah Ostlund could also do enough to take the net-front spot away from Ryan McLeod.

So, that group figures to see some pretty consistent changes until something clicks, but the high number of options once again proves Buffalo is in a promising spot offensively.

That's why so much focus will be on Appert, head coach Lindy Ruff and the tactics during the early going. Are there obvious structural changes? Is there clear improvement in the first month or two?

Ultimately, there's no reason from a skill or talent standpoint why the power play should be a hindrance to the Sabres' success. Enough scoring prowess exists on the roster for the PP to push its conversation percentage toward the mid-20s, which would rank inside the NHL's top 10.

Buffalo should continue searching for answers until that's the case. The status quo isn't good enough.