Sabres Stat Pack: Shots against a sign of struggles at home

Ryan Miller and Jhonas Enroth both boast a save percentage well above .900 (.930 and .946 respectively), as well they should. The Buffalo Sabres have managed to surrender a boatload of shots in their first ten games.

The Sabres are currently ninth-worst in the NHL with an average of 31.9 shots per game (319 total). By comparison, Buffalo is averaging only 29.4 shots per contest (294 total). While shots allowed and taken don’t paint a full picture of a dominant or struggling team, it can offer some insight to the Sabres current 6-4 record.

Most Sabres fans have found some cause for concern though numerous outlets thus far, despite the team sitting in a playoff spot and only trailing the division leading Maple Leafs (seriously?) by three points. Whether it is “inconsistent” goaltending, Ville Leino’s inability to spark early or the all-in or bust nature of the power play; there is some unrest throughout Hockey Heaven.

The only true disturbing trends that have developed early in the season has been Buffalo’s play at home and the appalling rate in which they give up shots. Winning at home was a problem in 2010-11 and it seems to be a recurring theme this year. Regardless of the tomb-like state of the seating bowl, the Sabres can’t seem to find their footing at First Niagara Center.

Buffalo is 1-3 at home thus far and the Sabres have surrendered a lead in each game. That is not a typo, Buffalo has held a lead of some sort in all four home games, only to give it back to their opponent. Only once has Buffalo recovered to win (against Columbus). The Sabres gave up a pair of one-goal leads against Carolina and a two-goal lead against Tampa and Columbus. Buffalo also gave up a one-goal lead against Florida, a game in which the Panthers stole after scoring twice in the final five minutes.

To boot, the Sabres have given up 91 shots in the final two periods in those four games. Buffalo only managed 84 shots in the final two periods of those games, registering more shots than the road team only three times. Here is a look at a few other shots for/against stats for the Sabres through their first ten games:

• Averaging 29.4 shots for/game (13^th lowest) versus 31.9 shots against/game (9^th highest)
• Outshot in six of ten games. Twice at home, twice on the road and both NHL Premiere games
• Allowed at least 10 shots in 18 separate periods. The Sabres have managed 10, or more, in 15 periods.
• Buffalo has been outshot 105-83 in the third period this season. The Sabres have had over 10 shots in only four third periods thus far, including zero in their season-opening win over Anaheim.
• Buffalo’s record when being outshot is 5-1, the only loss coming to Florida last week (shots 36-26). Buffalo is 1-3 when outshooting their opponents, the only win coming with Ryan Miller’s shutout of the Panthers on October 20.
• Buffalo has outshot their opponents twice at home (Carolina and Tampa Bay) and have been outshot twice at home (Columbus and Florida)
• The Sabres have held teams to under 30 shots just three times this season. The games were: @ Florida (22 shots), @ Tampa Bay (26 shots), vs. Tampa Bay (23 shots).

Now, shooting statistics are always tricky. One team can fire 45 shots on goal but only see four quality scoring chances. Meanwhile, the other team can only get 25 shots but have them rife with scoring chances. Still, the rate in which the Sabres have been giving up shots on goal is getting ugly. The goaltenders had big nights in which the team gave up 40+ and the Sabres escaped with wins. On the other hand, Buffalo lost two of their three in which they held teams to fewer than 30 shots, so it is tough to go strictly by the numbers.

Additionally, Buffalo’s poor home record makes it difficult to identify the true culprit for their 1-3 start.

Regardless, the concept is rather basic, if the other team has more shots on goal than you, they have more opportunities to score goals. If the Sabres can find a way to limit their opponents shots – at home and on the road – they will see improvement in the win column.