Sabres searching for results despite strong statistical start

Statistics alone paint a positive picture for the Buffalo Sabres through the first five games of the season.
The Sabres are plus-26 in 5-on-5 shot attempts (an indicator of offensive zone time), which ranks sixth in the NHL. Natural Stat Trick has their scoring chance percentage at 56.9, which ranks seventh.
The six teams with a better percentage of scoring chances at 5-on-5 - St. Louis, Minnesota, Carolina, Calgary, Tampa Bay and Toronto - are above .500 and rank among the top four in their divisions.
The Sabres were back to work in Washington on Saturday, coming on the heels of a shootout loss that dropped them to 1-3-1. Their mission now is to translate the positive statistical trends into points in the standings.

"In the end, we're measured by our results and our points, so we need to bring an edge, we need to bring a grit and a fight, because right now, we're not getting the results that we possibly would be capable of getting because of the way we're playing," coach Ralph Krueger said.
"And when that happens, the only thing I know is we have to push the guys that much harder to do some of the ugly things, work more diligently at doing things where sacrifice is called for, whether it's the creation of net pressure, whether it's being more physical defensively. We all need to do that to get our momentum going in the direction which (brings) results."

Buffalo has a shooting percentage of 8.7, which ranks 20th in the league. Jeff Skinner and Jack Eichel lead the team in scoring chances at 5-on-5 but are both still searching for their first goal. Krueger's message is consistent in stressing the process of improvement and letting results be a byproduct, but he also realizes how quickly a few hot hands can turn the tide.
"We're in a position where a correction can come very quickly with some positive momentum," Krueger said. "But there is a sense of urgency in the air, and what you try to do is make sure that that constant improvement remains the focus while at the same time understanding what the difference makers are to get the wins, what we need to add in those moments in decisiveness."
One solution, Krueger said, could be pressuring the net to earn the goal that opens the floodgates. Another is on the power play, which has shown glimpses of its potential early in the season but has only scored at 17.7-percent clip, which ranks 19th. Buffalo's 10 goals at 5-on-5 are tied for seventh.
"The eye test is there but unfortunately that's not how it works in this league," alternate captain Jake McCabe said. "You've got to get the results. But I think we still have a good attitude and a positive attitude."
Here are more notes following Saturday's practice in Washington.

Krueger has open discussion with Dahlin

Rasmus Dahlin did not skate during the final 6:42 of the second period on Friday and had just one shift, a power play, during the third. The decision was made by Krueger after the 20-year-old defenseman was on the ice for a pair of rebound goals by Washington.
Krueger said afterward that Dahlin's ice time was cut both to give other players a chance to push for the victory and to serve as a learning tool for the defenseman. He relayed his intentions to Dahlin before practice on Saturday.
"With Dahls, we have a young defenseman who has world-class offensive upside," Krueger said. "Everybody knows that to be a high-minute guy in the National Hockey League, you need to also take care of the defensive side.
"That is what every young offensive defenseman needs to work on. There's nothing out of the ordinary going on here. Above all, just honest and open discussions, cards on the table, and that's how we operated here."
Dahlin was the last player on the ice before the team left for Washington on Thursday, taking part in 1-on-1 drills with development coach Matt Ellis. Krueger remained confident in his willingness and ability to grow into a larger defensive role on Saturday.
"The teaching process is much more catching him doing things right, which he does a lot, and just making those his habits versus slipping into some older habits that he might have taken out the past few years," Krueger said.
"We enjoy the process with him. He's a good student and he will improve from this experience."

A strong start for McCabe, Ristolainen

The veteran defense pair of Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen has been a bright spot for the Sabres early on.
McCabe and Ristolainen have been on the ice for seven goals for and just two against at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Sabres own an 84.2-percent share of high-danger shot attempts with the duo on the ice, which ranks second amongst NHL defense pairs with at least 30 minutes played.
"We've played a lot of hockey over the years together so there's a lot of familiarity," McCabe said. "I love playing with him. He's one of the best physical defensemen in this league.
"… We haven't been spending too much time in our own end so I think we've done a really good job of killing plays and getting the puck moving in transition to spend more time in their end which has been a good stretch for us. I think our gaps have been really solid through the neutral zone and we've made it really hard on whoever we're playing against."

Back at it tomorrow

The Sabres conclude their two-game set in Washington at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Coverage on MSG begins at 2:30.