BUFFALO — Lindy Ruff is hitting a huge milestone. He’ll coach his 1,900th NHL game when the Buffalo Sabres take on the Florida Panthers. Only two coaches have more games under their belts: Scotty Bowman with 2,141 and Paul Maurice with 1,974.
This game will also mark Ruff’s 1,291st match with the Sabres. That’s the second-most games ever coached for a single team, trailing only Al Arbour’s historic 1,500 with the New York Islanders.
“Wow! That says a lot about his career,” Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin remarked. “Staying in this league for so long is impressive. It shows he’s really good at what he does.”
Ruff, who turns 66 soon, is back with the Sabres, having returned to lead the team again in April 2024. He’s aiming to guide them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011. By the way, his first tenure ended just two seasons before that playoff drought began.
The Sabres are on fire. In December, they won 10 straight games, which ties their franchise record. Currently, they are holding the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, looking to end a heartbreaking 14-season playoff drought. Just on Saturday, they beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-3, making it 13 wins in their last 14 games.
“He’s a huge part of our success,” Dahlin noted. “We’re giving it our all every day, and we’re excited for the journey ahead.”
In an interview with NHL.com, Ruff shared his thoughts on reaching this milestone. When asked about coaching alongside Paul Maurice, he chuckled, “It just shows that we both love the game and don’t want to leave it.”
On the importance of the milestone, he said, “Honestly, it doesn’t mean much to me. What matters is where we are as a team right now.” He emphasized how vital it is to focus on winning and staying competitive in a tough league.
Ruff explained the importance of his coaching team too. “Coaching is a team effort. I’ve been lucky to have great people around me over the years.” He highlighted that every coach needs a strong support system to achieve success.
Reflecting on how he’s adapted with this fresh group, Ruff emphasized understanding what type of play they need. He believes in giving players the freedom to use their unique skills on the ice. “Not everyone plays the same way, but every player has a role to fulfill,” he shared.
He approaches each day with a mindset geared toward improvement. “Every day is about getting better. We’re always working on different aspects of the game.” He likened coaching to being a firefighter, putting out ‘fires’ as they arise, whether it’s offensive or defensive issues.
Keeping his passion after all these years, Ruff said, “I love the rink and the daily interactions. We learn and laugh a lot, which is important.” His enjoyment of the game truly shines through.
When asked about standout memories, he recalled his early days coaching in Buffalo, particularly a strong December where the team shone. “The belief we had back then fuels our current success,” he noted.
For Ruff, creating a family-like atmosphere matters. “Family comes first,” he stated. He believes in supporting his players both on and off the ice, reinforcing unity among the team.
The fans make a world of difference at KeyBank Center. “The atmosphere is electric,” Ruff said. He recalled playoff memories of wild crowds and how essential fan support is for the team’s morale.
Lastly, Ruff loves Buffalo for its blue-collar spirit and passion for sports. “It’s a town that lives and breathes sports. We’re eager to get back to those exciting playoff moments.”
