Ruff's greatest moments
With Lindy Ruff returning, it's important to look back at the Sabres top moments with him as Coach.
The Buffalo Sabres are now going back in time to go forward. With the hiring of head coach Lindy Ruff, the team is hoping to recapture the glory days of Sabres hockey. Here are the top 5 moments of Ruff's initial Sabres tenure.
5) 2011 - Buffalo clinches a playoff berth in the franchise's 40th season: In what is still the Sabres last playoff berth before the drought, they made the playoffs losing in seven games to the Flyers in the first round. Thomas Vanek scored 32 goals on the season.
4) 2011 - Ruff becomes the winningest coach: On January 8, 2011, Ruff became the winningest coach who only coached for one team in NHL history when the Sabres defeated the Arizona Coyotes 2-1 in overtime off a Drew Stafford goal.
3) 2006- Ruff wins Jack Adams Award: Ruff leads the Sabres to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance en route to his first-ever Coach of the Year award. During the season, right winger Mike Grier had four game-winning goals.
2) 1999 - Stanley Cup Finals appearance: Ruff leads the Sabres to their first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1975. Behind goalie Dominik Hasek they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs four games to one in the Eastern Conference Finals.
1) 2007 - President's Trophy: For the first time in history the Sabres won the President's Trophy with 113 Points on the Season. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and their leading goal scorer was Thomas Vanek with 43.
The Sabres now are looking forward as Ruff comes in to get the team back to what they once were. They have pieces in place with players such as Alex Tuch or Zach Benson. One of the best attributes of Ruff during his tenure was his ability to get the best out of his players. If he can, they should once again be a perennial playoff contender.
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