The Buffalo Sabres were victorious on Friday night, defeating the Boston Bruins 4-1, and advancing to the second round for the first time since 2007. With the same man behind the bench nearly 20 years later, Lindy Ruff.
When the Sabres brought Ruff back in 2024, the decision was met with a mixed reception, but in year two of his second stint as head coach, fans are wondering why he was ever fired in the first place. Lindy Ruff is a Buffalo Sabre through and through.
Heading into their first playoff series in 15 years, the Sabres' roster lacked playoff experience, as many of the players were getting their first taste of playoff hockey. Coach Ruff however, had tons of experience, heading into the postseason with over 130 playoff games and 20 series as a head coach. He was well prepared for the highs and lows that a series can bring and ready to lead his team through whatever was thrown at them.
Lindy Ruff was the calm in the storm of a wild Game 1
The Sabres would immediately face adversity in the opening game of the playoffs, as the team faced a 2-0 deficit late into the third period. While the fans were anxious and beginning to feel impatient waiting for that first playoff goal since 2011, Ruff had the bench under control, and the team still had all the confidence in the world.
While Sabres teams of the past might have rolled over and chalked the game up as a loss, they persevered and scored four goals in the final eight minutes to take game one of the series by a score of 4-3.
“This team doesn’t quit, they don’t give up [...] We just said if we get one, I felt like we would get the second one.” Ruff said in his postgame press conference, echoing the belief he has in his team. It’s a two-way street, as the team believes in their coach as much as he believes in them. It’s definitely a sense of confidence with him there,” captain Rasmus Dahlin said after the comeback win. “He’s been through it so many times. He knows what to do in a playoff series, and he knows what it takes.”
Game 3 adjustments proved to make a difference
Unfortunately there was no comeback in Game 2, as the Sabres found themselves in a 4-0 hole and only managed to score two when the game was all but decided. While there were positives to take away from the first two games, it was clear that some changes had to be made.
The biggest one was in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was not very sharp in his two starts, with the infamous center ice Geekie goal being the lowlight. Despite making some big, timely saves, including a few breakaways, Lindy made the decision to go with Alex Lyon in game three.
Josh Norris was injured in Game 2 and was unavailable for Game 3. Rookie Noah Ostlund would make his playoff debut. When asked about it, Lindy Ruff spoke about the faith he has in the Swedish forward, “He’s put together a nice year for us [...] he’s been a guy I can rely on in all situations.
Lyon and Ostlund would both step up and deliver in game three. Lyon stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced, frustrating the Bruins' attack all night long. Ostlund would record a goal and an assist in his playoff debut, the assist being a beauty to set up a Byram goal, and the goal being an empty netter to extend the Sabres' lead to 3-1, which would prove to be the final score.
Confidence levels were at an all-time high on the Sabres bench
While sometimes lineup changes can be an opportunity for a coach to put their fingerprints on a series, sometimes not changing things up can be just as meaningful. Even though the Sabres had only managed five goals (not including empty netters) through three games, Ruff kept lines that had proven to be effective during the season together in game four.
It finally paid off, as the Sabres' scoring was at full display in game four. The team jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead and would suffocate the Bruins for the remainder of the game, giving them zero chance of coming back. A 6-1 final score, with six unique Sabres goal scorers, the lines were clicking, proving their coach right for sticking with them.
The win gave the Sabres a 3-1 series lead heading back home and confidence levels were at an all-time high.
Buffalo was even-keeled in the face of adversity
With the opportunity to win the series in front of a sold-out KeyBank Center, nerves were a bit high throughout the lineup. It showed, as the players were gripping their sticks a little tighter, and they gave the Bruins life when their backs were against the wall.
A heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss meant the series was not over yet, and the Sabres were going to have to win a third straight game in TD Garden to avoid coming back to Buffalo for a game seven. A tough task ahead as the Bruins had one of the best home records across the league in the regular season.
But the team remained even-keeled, starting from Ruff and bleeding into the players; they believed in themselves. The coach chose not to have a pregame skate on the day of the game, wanting to keep things relaxed. He had a message for his squad before the crucial Game 6: “I told them we were going to win the game”. A powerful message, as he never turned his back on his players, and echoed the belief he had in his group from the start of the series.
Win the game they did. Another road victory, with a final score of 4-1. Although the team was inexperienced, they seemed ready to handle the closeout game, even when things didn’t go their way. Looking like a team that had been there before, led by a coach who has.
Whether the Sabres face the Lightning or the Canadiens, winning 1-0 or losing 4-1, they are confident in any and every situation. Lindy Ruff has this team finally playing to its potential, and under his leadership and guidance, there’s no telling how far they can go.
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