Lindy Ruff on Sabres’ struggles: ‘I’m almost lost for words’

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, losing to the Maple Leafs 5-3. With the loss, the Sabres are now winless in their last 10 contests, and it’s becoming quite obvious, the constant struggles are starting to take a toll on head coach Lindy Ruff.

Ruff spoke to Sabres’ columnist Mike Harrington after Sunday’s game and was quick to take accountability for trying to get his hockey club back on track. “I’m almost lost for words obviously. It’s on me to solve this. This is the toughest solve I’ve been around. It is on me to get these guys in the right place and win a hockey game and nobody else. Just me.”

With the defeat at the hands of the Maple Leafs, the Sabres are now 11-16-4 on the year, six points out of the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference. They’ve had a terrible time holding leads of late, and unfortunately for Ruff and company, captain Rasmus Dahlin continues to be unavailable due to back spasms. Dahlin averages 24:42 of ice-time, and has chipped in with six goals and 19 points through 25 games.

Ruff’s comments come less than two weeks after Sabres’ GM Kevyn Adams made headlines, stating Buffalo isn’t a destination city for players. “We’re not a destination city right now,” Adams explained Dec.9 during a media availability. “Where you’re going to be able to go out and [unrestricted free agents] that are key guys.” Adams would go on to mention that many players throughout the league have Buffalo on their no-trade lists.

Ruff and the Sabres will try to regroup and get back on track Tuesday night, when they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens.