For most of the Buffalo Sabres' roster, they were facing a new challenge as they were entering Game 6 facing elimination. The pressure was clear as it was win-or-go-home, and while the players hadn't been in the situation, Lindy Ruff had been here before, and a simple message helped be the catalyst to an 8-3 win in Game 6.
"The meeting this morning was about when I watch film, and I see a player pointing, that for me is indecision on who's going," Ruff said. "So we used this expression this morning that was J.F.G., and you can figure out what that is."
The Sabres' head coach went on to talk about how he thought there was slowness in their game because of the indecision. He wanted to see players make aggressive mistakes and would rather see players make mistakes going than not going.
Lindy Ruff continues to prove he is the right coach for this Buffalo Sabres team
In Game 6, the Sabres certainly got that as it looked like they weren't thinking as much and, in turn, were able to react quicker. They were outskating the Canadiens and winning puck battles by just going instead of overanalyzing.
This latest message is just another example of how in tune Lindy Ruff is with this roster. While not every decision has worked in his favor, he has been right more than he has been wrong. Over the course of the playoffs, he has found a lot of good things that have worked, like playing a rookie in Konsta Helenius in Game 4, and he has delivered goals in back-to-back games now.
A few times in the playoffs, like last night in Game 6 as well as Game 6 against the Boston Bruins, he has cancelled practice in between games and the morning skate before that game. In both instances, the Sabres have had their best games of the playoffs.
On Saturday night, he was asked if that was the plan ahead of Monday night's Game 7, and he said he was '90% sure' that he would continue with this plan. He has found a system that has worked for this team, and it certainly will help them in Game 7 to J.F.G.
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