We had the man advantage for something like 13 minutes last night, and didn't score once.

I know we're 3 days in, but isn't the off season for fixing things like that? I'm afraid we're in for more of the status quo, but with a few more "grind-em-out" wins.

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That was ridiculous...we look so freaking inept on the PP. Yeah, they can move the puck around a bit on the outside, but every attempt to get in close was utterly thwarted, and we sure as hell cant get a puck from the point past even the first defender.

I'm kind of surprised myself, there was plenty of talk about having to improve the PP, and yet...it pretty much looks just like last year.

Oh well, heres to hoping they get it figured out soon.

Yep, I've got my fingers crossed.

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It's not like PP QB d-men grow on trees, but they could really use one.

I think they should take PP duties away from McCutcheon again, this time for good. He's been the guy in charge of the PP for some time now according to most accounts, and it's not been good under his watch.

I don't even care for that. Like Squanto said; get us a PP coach. PP QBs aren't born knowing what to do, they're taught, and pick up on queues.

Right now, I see our D-men that COULD be PP QBs as Ninja Turtles without a Splinter.

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Is that really necessary? Do we need one specialized guy who 'runs' the PP? And why isnt anyone capable of that? What is the necessary skillset that apparently ALL The sabres lack?

Meh, i'm not really sold on one guy being the solution, I think it's a mindset problem, they're just not focused or confident or...something. I see them considering (and telegraphing) most of their passes, I see hesitancy, uncertainty and NO PLAN for when they're actually out there. I have to think that comes from the coaching.

haha, yeah, or that.

Oh no...one guy won't be the solution, but a PP QB would help for now. Having a dependable zone entry would be a real big help for starters, and getting more movement for clear one-timers from the point. Not sure who's in charge of the coaching there, but it certainly could be better.

For the love of god, please bring in a former NHL forward as an assistant to run the power play.

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Wheelhouse

They have that. The guy played 37 games in the NHL, that's enough right? :p

If they want to score on the power play, all they need to change is how quickly they move the puck.

I'm watching power play footage from the 2005-2006 season when we had the 3rd best power play in the league.

We ran the same umbrella style power play as we do now. The only difference is, the puck is moving much faster around the perimeter.

It's as simple as that. Move the puck quicker.

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Wheelhouse

Entries and recoveries don't really seem consistent enough either. Seems like a lot of one and done trips, not much more than that.

Seems like urgency all around. They need to run the power play with reckless abandon the way they play 5 on 5.

Don't use it as an excuse to be able to coast more. Use it as a way to ensure you win every 50-50 battle.

If I were Ruff and I couldn't get our entires to where they needed to be, I'd move away from the umbrella style power play and keep two players on the blue line rather than one in the middle to ensure the puck doesn't leave the zone every time we lose control of it.

It's a huge time waster.

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Wheelhouse

I miss Scott Arniel.

Sabres ought to hire Lafontaine as an assistant and have him coach the PP.

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mechaphil

Love it.

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Wheelhouse