3 Things: Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning- 2/28/18

The Buffalo Sabres look to steal a big two points from the Tampa Bay Lightning when they face them  tonight. The Sabres are out of playoff contention, but the Bolts are very much in the thick of things, and it is starting to get a little tighter at the top of the Atlantic standings.

Here are three things to watch for in this Atlantic Division tilt:

1.) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITIES- SABRES

If there has been one thing that the Bolts have struggled at this season it has been killing penalties. Tampa Bay has allowed 45 power play goals while being shorthanded 203 times this year (77.8%). The penalty kill is ranked 24th in the League, which mean only seven teams are worse than the Bolts at killing penalties so the Sabres need to make sure that they capitalize when they have the man advantage. The Sabres need to make sure that they capitalize on the power play since they have been outscored badly while play at even strength. Buffalo will also need to make sure that they protect the puck and make the smart play while shorthanded because the Bolts have scored eight goals while shorthanded.

2.) SPECIAL TEAMS- LIGHTNING

The Lightning have played extremely well at even strength this year, outscoring opponents 143-103. The Bolts have also had some incredible success on the power play, and have the second best one in the NHL. Buffalo has a weak penalty kill so the Bolts have the advantage. The one area that has been a weakness all year has been the penalty kill, and in order for them to have success down the stretch this will need to improve. Tampa Bay needs to clear the puck out of their own zone and avoid failed clears when shorthanded.

3.) DISCIPLINE- SABRES & LIGHTNING

These two teams will need to play with some discipline and stay out of the penalty box. The Sabres have a weak penalty kill and the power play of the Lightning will burn them, if given the chance to do so. The Bolts need to stay out of the box because their penalty kill has been a disaster from the start of the season, and they don't want the Sabres to get a couple of power play chances and put the puck in the net a few times. When these two teams are on the power play then they need to be aware of the shorthanded goals because the Sabres have score nine this year, while the Bolts have eight of their own.