Ruff made the playoffs eight times as head coach of the Sabres, including an appearance in the 1998-99 Stanley Cup Final along with three trips to the Eastern Conference Final in 1997-98, 2005-06, and 2006-07. The Sabres finished with a franchise-record 53 wins and 113 points in 2006-07, claiming their only Presidents’ Trophy in team history.

If the Buffalo Sabres haven’t hit rock bottom this season, they’re starting to creep awfully close. After scoring two goals in the first three minutes Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Sabres would go on to blow another lead,

Lindy Ruff has been in charge of an NHL bench for more than 1,800 regular-season games. The Buffalo Sabres head coach knows hockey inside and out. He's also never felt the stress and strain of a stretch like this.

The Buffalo Sabres lost nine straight games, falling to the Washington Capitals 4-2. It was a tight game throughout, as the Sabres took a solid run at the league’s best team by points percentage.

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) WASHINGTON — Tom Wilson struck twice and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Saturday night.

The Sabres brought their winless ways to this weekend’s road trip. Saturday night’s 4-2 loss at Washington was Buffalo’s ninth in a row, marking the Sabres’ longest skid since setting an NHL record with an 18-game winless streak in 2021.