Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expressed strong dissatisfaction with his team`s performance after their recent loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, suggesting that a prolonged losing streak may be taking its toll.
Following a 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Ruff did not hold back his criticism.
Ruff stated that his team displayed a complete lack of respect for the game. He likened their play to `Christmas hockey,` where they freely gifted the first three goals to the opposition. He emphasized that such an approach is not conducive to winning on the road, an area the team has been actively trying to improve. He pointed to a lack of discipline and insufficient attention to detail in puck management early in the game as key factors in their defeat.
Despite a spirited effort that saw the Sabres narrow the score to 6-4 in the third period with a short-handed goal by Alex Tuch at 15:05, the Flyers quickly responded.
Philadelphia regained their three-goal lead just 29 seconds later when Ryan Poehling scored, securing the victory for the Flyers.
Ruff also lamented a late penalty, deeming it unacceptable, especially when the team was attempting to mount a comeback. He explained that while they took a risk with their penalty kill to score a short-handed goal, the subsequent penalty negated any chance of a late rally.
Tristan Blackwood