The Stars went 0-3 on the power play, including 0-2 with no shots on goal in the first period. They are 2-21 this season and have a man advantage.

“It’s frustrating,” Dallas captain Jamie Benn said. “It seems like we haven’t really found it yet this year. I think tonight it was probably just kind of a reflection of our 5-on-5 play. Just not working hard enough, not working hard enough away from the puck, not supporting the puck, not winning duels and face-offs.”

Peyton Krebs gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead at 12:21 of the second period. Beck Malenstyn's tip of Power's shot hit the crossbar, and Krebs knocked the rebound out of the air past Oettinger.

McLeod made it 2-0 at 13:44 when he received a pass from Jason Zucker on a 2-on-1 and hit Oettinger with his stick side.

The forward has four goals in eight games after scoring 12 goals in 81 games for the Edmonton Oilers last season. He was traded to the Sabers on July 5.

“This guy definitely has some speed,” Krebs said of McLeod. “He’s a great guy off the ice, he works hard, he plays the right way. He brought this with him from Edmonton and it's exciting. Four goals in four games, keep it up.”

Thompson made it 3-0 at 4:17 of the third period by targeting a pass from Power at the top of the left circle.

“Heard 'OP' coming up the ice, heard him trailing and made a great cross-ice pass to me for a (one-timer),” Thompson said. “I think with a goalie like Oettinger, any time you can move him twice across the middle of the ice, it's going to be difficult to come back. That felt good at the beginning and gives us a nice cushion.”