What Sabres coach Lindy Ruff thinks of nightly traffic jam in NHL’s Eastern Conference

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The years grow longer for Lindy Ruff and the games get tighter.

From playing in the NHL’s Original 21, the coach of the Buffalo Sabres — who ranks third in games behind the bench and fourth in wins — continues to be gobsmacked at league parity.

The Sabres and Leafs, close geo-rivals, each had records of 3-3-1 before Thursday night, two of seven teams with at least three regulation wins and losses in the Eastern Conference. 

“It’s how damn close the games are to making a difference,“ Ruff observed. “Every team is trying improve something from game to game. But when you look around the league you can see how competitive it is, night to night. 

“You can go through the schedule watching games and, by the end of the second period, it’s amazing how many are within one goal or they’re tied. Somebody has to make a difference inside the game, whether it’s special teams or 5-on-5. 

How have the Buffalo Sabres been playing?

“Our 5-on-5 play to start the third period (in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday) where we got people around their net and in front of their goaltender was the difference in getting back in the game  (two goals forcing overtime). An important point at that time of the year.” 

Thursday’s match at Scotiabank Arena re-kindles a 56-year-old rivalry between the Leafs and Sabres. 

“Every team wants to get on a run or a little bit of a roll and it starts with winning a game, inside or outside the division,” Ruff added. 

Both teams were missing a key defenceman for Thursday: Chris Tanev (upper body) for Toronto, Rasmus Dahlin (lower back) for the visitors.

Ruff gave it a 50% chance Dahlin is back for the return game in Montreal on Saturday. Defencemen Matt Grzelcyk (lower body) and ex-Leaf Conor Timmins also are out of the Sabres’ blueline picture. 

What are Owen Power’s contributions?

That means more work for 2021’s first-overall pick Owen Power, who has seven points in as many games.

Ruff likes everything he has seen from the Mississauga-born Power: His skating, more confident puck management and quicker decision-making. All are needed as Dahlin is so tough to replace. 

“It’s easier said than done, but guys have to step up,” said Power, who has averaged between 25 and 29 minutes a night this season.  

Last year, the Sabres finally flipped the script with the Leafs, got back the playoffs and won a series for the first time in 19 years.

But Ruff senses teams such as Toronto and Florida have recovered from their rare spring exclusion. 

“Last year is last year,” Ruff dismissively said. “Every team thinks they’re improved or better. But you can’t live off of that. Right now, we’re dealing with a little adversity. So you have to deal with each game one at a time.

“You take key personnel out, you have to have someone who steps in, something in the season to wrap your arms around.” 

lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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