The man at the point is far from the problem with PP1, the difference in PP production between Risto and Dahlin is marginal at best.
The biggest issues are:
- Sloppy zone entries and lack of urgency on puck retrieval
- Lack of player movement
- Slow puck movement (Jack is probably the biggest offender here, as he likes to hold and QB from the half wall)
When teams shade their coverage towards Jack there never seems to be a second option. I'd really like to see more behind the net plays.
The problem is the Sabres are being coached to do just a few different things (stupid neutral zone drop pass, Eichel trying to deke the entire team on zone entry, the bump-set to the slot forward, Eichel trying to do the Malkin feather-a-pass-across-the-box). These are easily defended when you know they're coming.
On the other hand, at least we're sure the team has bought into the coaching, since they don't go off-script whatsoever, however much it isn't working.
Dahlin over Risto is worth another 15 hourly shot attempts in addition to the goal. Eichel/Dahlin are the best PP in the league in terms of shot gen.
Coaching tactics are also a problem, but so is the coach playing bad players.
If they're going to insist on having the neutral-zone drop to a player coming with speed who is then expected to beat the whole opposing team on entry, and having 2 players who can do it (Eichel and Dahlin), I'm wondering if they could try a "pick your poison" and give PP1 both options roaring up either wing.