‘The power play is holding Buffalo back. It’s the one area of the Sabres’ game that’s had marginal improvement since the New Year. Their 18.2% conversion rate since Jan. 1 is 21st in the NHL, while their 14.4% mark for the season is 28th. It’s a startling regression from the first half of last season, when the Sabres were third. Not only are they not scoring, but they’re often allowing more chances than they’re earning. Their eight short-handed goals allowed are tied for most in the league and, according to Natural Stat Trick, they’ve allowed the second-most short-handed scoring chances. Despite an injury-plagued season, the Sabres are sixth in the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring.’