The numbers say the Buffalo Sabres' power play is sputtering quite a bit compared to last year, especially on the road. A basic eye test says likewise. With point men such as Ales Kotalik and Jaroslav Spacek gone, the whole thing is a work in progress.

But the Sabres connected twice with the man advantage in Saturday's 3-2 win at

Philadelphia. And perhaps the most important numbers are these: They have at least one

power-play goal in 12 of their 17 games.

"With the talent we have, the power play can always be better," winger Thomas Vanek said

after practice Monday in HSBC Arena. "It's certainly not any kind of panic time, not even

close. But we know we can be better if we execute."

The Sabres entered Monday just 18th in the NHL at 18.8 percent after finishing last year

seventh at 21.0. They've improved from 14th to ninth at home but dropped precipitously on the

road from fourth to 28th, as they are just 4 for 34.

The loss of Spacek is certainly one issue. Vanek led the NHL with 20 power-play goals last

season and has just three this year, but one was a nifty quickie from the slot Saturday.

"We've had a ton of good chances and a lot of pucks around the net," said defenseman Chris

Butler, who has huge minutes at the point along with rookie phenom Tyler Myers. "Look at the

goal [Vanek] scored. He just pops out and gets it right there ... Our puck movement is better.

Our numbers may be down but it's only a matter of time before they improve."

Spacek was the Sabres' veteran quarterback on the backline, with the ability to pass to the

right man or get a low, hard shot to the net from the point.

"We knew that was a big loss," Vanek said. "The other team respected his shot, his ability

to move up and find the hole."

Butler, a regular on the power play at the University of Denver, didn't get many chances

last year. But some nights now, he's getting five to six minutes of man-advantage time.

"It's a mental challenge and a physical challenge," he said. "It's great the coaches have

the confidence to put you out there. It means they expect you to produce.

"We've moved the puck well but I haven't scored yet. You just have to keep working on

getting shots through and not blocked."

"I've been pleased, taking players who haven't been power-play quarterbacks and putting

them in that role," said coach Lindy Ruff. "Taking a Butler, a Myers — a 19-year-old kid

— and having him anchor another unit.

"I think you're going to have to live with down time in games. You're going to have to live

with some bad power plays, but I think the growth is going to be there."

Three short-handed goals against, including one Saturday by Philly's Jeff Carter, are a

concern. But the home-road stats seem more like an anomaly.

"Just numbers," Vanek said. "Some nights they go in. Other nights they don't. The biggest

thing we'll improve on is to establish the shots from the point. We're creating down low. Now

we have to create more point shots."

The Sabres are 10th overall in penalty killing but Ruff isn't obsessing about numbers. He

just wants the special teams to make a difference.

"Our power play scored us goals in back-to-back games but didn't look too good at times

[Friday] against Calgary," he said. "I thought it looked good against Philly. We got two

[goals], could have had a couple more."

. . .

The team had a spirited 50-minute workout pointing toward Wednesday's visit by Florida.

Mike Grier (groin) stayed out of drills and remains out but Drew Stafford (hip) and Toni

Lydman (groin) both took part fully and will be available Wednesday. Tyler Ennis was sent back

to Portland after scoring in his NHL debut Saturday.

. . .

Goaltender Ryan Miller was named the NHL's third star of the week after allowing just four

goals in three wins. Miller leads the league in wins (12), goals-against average (1.77) and

save percentage (.939).

Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk were first and second stars.