The Buffalo Sabres finally made Lindy Ruff smile

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has spent a lot of time venting his frustrations lately, ranging from the team's soft play style to what he believes was unfair officiating, but the embattled club finally gave him a reason to change his tune Thursday night.

The Sabres blocked a season-high 26 shots in a 3-2 road victory over the Vancouver Canucks, including several key blocks in the third period while defending the one-goal lead. Tyson Kozak and Conor Timmins each tallied five blocked shots, while Jordan Greenway had a crucial block late.

"That's the stuff that puts a smile on your face," Ruff told reporters.

Buffalo, playing without several key players because of injury and illness, showcased a compete level that's often been lacking across the season's first 31 games.

"Gutsy effort," Ruff said. "... Incredible desperation. The block by Greenie, the block by Kozak. Everybody was all invested in trying to win that game."

The Sabres still sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 30 points (13-14-4), but back-to-back wins have spurred renewed hope of a turnaround before it's too late.

So, let's analyze the newest edition of our Sabres player grades series, which sees the Blue and Gold's most important players near the top once again.

Alex Lyon aims to regain starting goalie job with a strong showing in the Buffalo Sabres' Dec. 11 win over the Vancouver Canucks

Sabres player grades

Buffalo Player of the Game: Alex Lyon

Lyon was the Sabres' best player through the season's first 10 games. Then the situation got complicated because the organization needed to see what it had in Colten Ellis, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned from injury.

Predictably, the 33-year-old journeyman goaltender's numbers dipped as part of the untenable three-goalie rotation. Now he's played three straight games, two relief appearances and the start against Vancouver, and his form has improved markedly.

It speaks to why trying to work in a trio of netminders rarely works at the NHL level. There simply aren't enough practice reps and game minutes to go around, which is especially problematic at a position where rhythm is vitally important.

Lyon was in a groove against the Canucks, stopping 30 of the 32 shots sent his way. Like Ruff, he was happy with the team's overall effort.

"We just played so desperately. I think that was pretty evident," Lyon said. "In the third there, they pushed really hard — got to give a lot of credit to them — but the guys did a great job of locking down the house."

Lyon should once again take over between the pipes for the Sabres as long as he's playing his best hockey.

Sabres quick hits

• Trevor Kuntar didn't play much in his NHL debut (5:12) because Ruff shortened the bench while protecting a lead, but his energy was evident in the limited shifts.

• Rasmus Dahlin continues to climb the grade book after a mediocre start to the campaign, particularly by his All-Star standards.

• Tage Thompson generated several key offensive opportunities on a night where the Sabres struggled to maintain offensive-zone possession.

• Ryan McLeod's vision and passing ability has been on full display over the past few games.

• Zach Benson finally scored his first goal of the season, and it could open the floodgates. He's generated 4.46 individual expected goals (ixG) in 18 games, per Natural Stat Trick.

• Alex Tuch (illness) joined Ellis (concussion), Josh Norris (illness/soreness), Jason Zucker (upper- and lower-body injuries), Michael Kesselring (lower body), Justin Danforth (lower body) and Jiri Kulich (blood clot) out of the lineup for Buffalo.

• The Sabres wrap up their six-game road trip Sunday night (8 p.m. ET) when they visit Climate Pledge Arena to take on the Seattle Kraken (12-10-6).