Predators want to awaken power play against Sabres

The Predators' power play hasn't been a strength of theirs all season, currently ranking 25th in the NHL at 16.2 percent. Lately, it has been even more ineffective.

Dating to Feb. 19, Nashville is 4 for 46 on the power play (8.7 percent), which is better than only the New York Rangers over that 15-game span, according to STATS LLC.

"Lately, I think we're overthinking," forward Mike Ribeiro said. "When the power play's not doing well, you try and think too much instead of just shooting pucks. I think simplifying will be a good thing for us."

The Predators were scoreless in four opportunities against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, but their first chance early in the first period provided potential ways for them to snap their special-teams slump. Nashville applied sustained pressure through crisp puck movement, gradually inching closer to the net and taking three shots.

During practice Thursday and Friday, the Predators focused on proper power-play execution, emphasizing clean passes and ample shot attempts. The Buffalo Sabres, Nashville's opponent Saturday, are the worst penalty-killing team in the league.

"We had an opportunity for a couple days to really focus in on it, so we'll try to bring that to the ice tonight," coach Peter Laviolette said. "I liked what we did for two days."

Wilson, Neal Out

Forwards Colin Wilson (lower body) and James Neal (upper body) will not play against Buffalo. Without two of their leading goal-scorers and the team struggling for offense, the Predators shuffled their forward lines:

Viktor Arvidsson - Mike Ribeiro - Gabriel Bourque

Matt Cullen - Mike Fisher - Craig Smith

Filip Forsberg - Calle Jarnkrok - Viktor Stalberg

Taylor Beck - Paul Gaustad - Mike Santorelli

During their 2-8-1 slump, the Predators are averaging 1.73 goals per game, down from 2.95 per game in their first 61 games.

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan