BUFFALO, N.Y. — Lindy Ruff said he’s probably been more patient than he’s ever been while trying to figure out the Buffalo Sabres’ players in his first year as coach. But that patience ended on Saturday in Detroit when a loss to the Red Wings extended the Sabres’ losing streak to three and put their season record at 4-7-1.
On Monday at practice, Ruff’s tone change was notable. He said, “We’ve got to win games. That’s the key. Raise the standard. Raise the expectation … Don’t accept what went on in Detroit as OK. OK hockey is not good enough.”
Then he backed up those words with action when he filled out his lineup card for Buffalo’s Tuesday game against Ottawa. Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson, who had played every game this season, were both healthy scratches. Ruff met with both players and made it clear their level of play isn’t where it needs to be.
“We’ve discussed what is necessary to win hockey games,” Ruff said. “I’ve probably been more patient than I’ve ever been just trying to figure these guys out. But there’s a standard you have to play to. The standard hasn’t been good enough.”
Ruff replaced those two with Connor Clifton and Dennis Gilbert, two of Buffalo’s hardest hitters. And then his message to the group before the game against the Senators was clear:
“Get emotionally involved in the game,” Ruff said. “We were emotionally involved in the game right from the start.”
The Sabres came out with an intent to hit the Senators early and often. Beck Malenstyn and Dylan Cozens both made big body checks in the first period. Then six minutes into the game, Jordan Greenway crushed Senators star forward Tim Stützle along the boards. Brady Tkachuk took exception to the hit and instigated a fight with Greenway.
Greenway vs Tkachuk #sabrehood #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/RaM4eqnN55
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) November 6, 2024
“It’s not an easy job,” Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram said. “Tkachuk is a tough dude and he plays that role well. But Greener is tough as well and he can handle business. It’s a tough job and I don’t know if people really realize the pressure or what you’re feeling when you’re in that situation. Greener did awesome and that’s why we love having him on our team. He’s a big, strong dude that plays hard and he’s always got our back.”
Because Tkachuk got the instigator penalty, the Sabres got a power play and cashed in with a goal from JJ Peterka. That ended up springboarding the Sabres to a 5-1 win in what was one of their most complete performances of the season.
Tkachuk sat in the box for most of the first period, and that mattered because the Senators had 71 percent of expected goals when he was on the ice at five-on-five. He led the game with six hits and had an assist on Ottawa’s lone goal, but the Sabres managed to hold him without a shot on net or an individual scoring chance at five-on-five.
“Brady plays a hard game,” Sabres center Tage Thompson said. “He’s physical, he’s in your face. When his team isn’t really going or they don’t feel they have it, he’s doing what he does best and that’s running around hitting guys and stirring stuff up.”
But it was the Sabres who were the aggressor in this game. Six Sabres had at least three hits with Malenstyn and Cozens leading the way with five apiece. Late in the game, when Tkachuk was trying to initiate more extracurricular activity after the whistle, Gilbert stepped in to shut it down.
Tkachuk slashes Benson and Gilbert goes after Tkachuk #sabrehood #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/Fgk2nzek5A
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) November 6, 2024
“That’s the kind of pack mentality you have to have as a group, especially in your own building, that we’re not going to get pushed around,” Thompson said.
The Sabres had every reason to come into this game desperate. With a 4-7-1 record coming into this game, the Sabres had a chance to be in last place in the NHL with a regulation loss. They were in the midst of a three-game losing streak and their season was at an early turning point. This stretch of November games, starting with the Senators, feels like Buffalo’s best chance to put itself in a position to push for the playoffs. That might seem premature to talk about on Nov. 5, but in the NHL, a high percentage of teams that are in playoff position at American Thanksgiving end the season in the playoffs. If you want to be a playoff team, you better find yourself within a few points of a seat at the table by the end of this month.
And Buffalo’s schedule is favorable. In the nine games before Thanksgiving, the Sabres play the Rangers, Flyers, Kings, Ducks and Sharks on the road and host the Flames, Canadiens, Blues and Wild. Of those teams, the Rangers and Kings are the only two who qualified for the postseason last year. The Wild are also off to a hot start. But if there’s a time to stack points, it’s now.
“It’s really hard to look at points in October and November and realize how important they are in March and April,” Malenstyn said. “You have to have that mindset that every time we step onto that sheet, those two points are going to be valued whether they’re the last game of the season, the first game of the season or anywhere in between.”
Quick hits
1. Ruff spoke before the game about the Sabres needing more big saves from their goalies. They got a few from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in this game, including a sensational stop when two Senators broke in alone. The Sabres were up 1-0 at that point, and Luukkonen helped them keep the lead. Luukkonen stopped 37 of 38 shots in his best game of the season in terms of save percentage and goals saved above expected.
UPL with an incredible save on Gregor #sabrehood #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/ZTsnx2xazL
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) November 6, 2024
2. Byram scored twice for the Sabres in this game. One was on a beautiful pass from Ryan McLeod and the other was on a shot Byram just threw on net from the point. Senators goalie Linus Ullmark probably could have stopped either goal, but Byram’s involvement in Buffalo’s offense has been significant, especially since he’s been paired with Rasmus Dahlin. He now has eight points in 13 games. The Sabres have only 39 percent of high-danger chances when Byram is on the ice at five-on-five this season, so he’s giving up some the other way. But Ruff loves what Byram brings with his skating and creativity.
3. Peterka had two power-play goals in this game, and it was the first time all season the Sabres had two power play goals in a single game. The top line didn’t need the man advantage to shine against the Senators, though. The Sabres had a 15-2 advantage in scoring chances when Peterka, Thompson and Alex Tuch were on the ice at five-on-five. Thompson led the Sabres with 11 shots on net. He also scored a greasy goal when Tuch’s shot hit Thompson’s shoulder while he was sprawling on the ice. It was the type of dirty goal Ruff has wanted to see more of early in the season.
(Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig / Imagn Images)
