BUFFALO, N.Y. — As Lindy Ruff received a warm round of applause, he offered a brief wave to the fans before disappearing up the tunnel. This understated gesture marked his achievement of 600 career wins as the coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Ruff, becoming just the second coach in NHL history to reach such a milestone with one team, was busy reflecting on the season that fell short of his expectations following a close 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.
In the final weeks of his first season back with the Sabres, Ruff faced the harsh reality of not meeting his goal of rebuilding the team into contenders. Frustrated by unfinished business, he immediately began focusing on the next season. The Sabres appeared destined to extend their NHL-record playoff absence to a 14th consecutive season.
“I’ve always been the kind of guy who thinks I can fix everything from the start, but I haven’t been able to solve every issue,” Ruff remarked.
“This year has been disappointing for me,” he continued, referring to the squad’s faltering playoff expectations, particularly during an alarming 0-10-3 streak in November and December. “I feel personally responsible for those winnable games that slipped through our fingers and prevented us from turning the season around. We didn’t manage to get it done.”
Regarding his milestone, Ruff was unaware of it until a team official informed him just after the final buzzer, moments before the public address announcer shared it with the crowd.
“I didn’t know until they told me, but it certainly feels good. Tonight’s win feels rewarding, especially with how hard the team fought,” he said, after Buffalo rallied back from two one-goal deficits to win with Tage Thompson’s decisive goal early in the third period.
“I’ve been lucky,” Ruff continued, acknowledging the support from former general managers and owners and the incredible fan support at the arena. “I’ve had a lot of good people around me, and it has made a difference over the years with different coaches and an unbelievable fan base.”
Ruff’s record with Buffalo stands at 600 wins, 467 losses, 90 overtime losses, and 78 ties, trailing only Al Arbour, who secured 740 victories with the New York Islanders.
At 65, Ruff was given another chance to guide the Sabres in April, following Don Granato’s dismissal after three and a half seasons. He returned to Buffalo after head-coaching ventures in Dallas and New Jersey, becoming the Sabres’ seventh coach since his own departure early in the lockout-shortened 2014 season.
In 2011, Ruff was the last coach to lead Buffalo to the playoffs. His initial tenure in Buffalo spanned over 14 seasons and included being named NHL’s coach of the year in 2006. Under his leadership, the Sabres made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999, losing to Dallas in six games, and reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007, only to lose to Carolina and Ottawa.
Ruff’s connection to Buffalo dates back to his playing days in the 1980s when he spent nine of his first 12 NHL seasons with the Sabres, including a stint as team captain.
Overall, Ruff ranks third in the NHL with 1,844 games coached. He ranks fifth in career victories with 893 and second in losses with 714.
There’s a sense of optimism within Ruff as he watches the Sabres’ recent performances. Despite being at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, Buffalo has won two consecutive games, including a notable 5-3 victory over Western leader Winnipeg. The team has emerged victorious in five of its last eight games.
“The way we’re playing over these last 40 games is setting us up for success,” Ruff commented.
Drawing an analogy to his penchant for fixing things at home, Ruff laughs about his DIY tendencies driving his wife mad.
“I genuinely think I can fix just about anything,” Ruff said with a chuckle. “But I’ve had to call in a few electricians over the years.”