By John Vogl
TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay averages nearly four goals per game. The Sabres have totaled two goals in their last three games.
Obviously, Buffalo needs to pick up the pace to have any chance against the Lightning.
Tampa Bay leads the NHL with 69 goals in 18 games, an average of 3.8 per outing. The Lightning have scored 33 goals in third periods. Buffalo, by contrast, has 47 goals all year.
"They’re a team that gets up and down real quick," Sabres interim coach Ron Rolston said after the morning skate in Tampa Bay Times Forum. "Both offensively and defensively we’re going to have to play faster."
The Sabres' offense could get a boost if the power play wakes up. Buffalo is in a 2-for-46 drought. Tampa's penalty killers rank tied for 12th with a 82.8 percent success rate.
"For us, I think it’s more of a confidence thing both on the power play now and five-on-five to generate offense," Rolston said. "I think we’re getting some quality looks and some chances, and now it’s just finishing, not squeezing our stick."
The Sabres will scratch defenseman T.J. Brennan and forward John Scott. Ryan Miller will start in goal against Tampa's Mathieu Garon.
Ron Rolston
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Tampa Bay Lightning
