Game 29: Benched

The Sabres' losing streak reaches eight games after a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but this time around, mistakes were punished more severely.

BUFFALO — The script for Wednesday night’s Buffalo Sabres 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers was a bit different than the previous seven losses albeit with the same ending, nonetheless.

A first period power play goal from Mika Zibanejad aided by a brutal turnover by Owen Power got the Rangers ahead and when any team is trying to chase the lead, it makes for a bad time.

But Power’s turnover landed him on the bench for the final 12:59 of the first period and proved to be a sign that mistakes and lapses will be served harsher punishment. In the second period, it was J-J Peterka who found the bench after a turnover on the first shift of the period got him sat down for the remainder of the period.

The demands of accountability began to sound more like buzzwords during this losing streak, but Lindy Ruff is tired of seeing old habits from before he got here continuing to stick around.

“I think if you look at the failed clear on an easy play to start the game with Owen, you look at how good Owen came back and played,” Ruff said. “J-J started the second period and turned it over as soon as he got over the blue line. I thought his third period was what we needed, which will make a difference. I know that’s a culture change.”

Ruff did his best to not lose his cool, but it’s bubbling under the surface and grows hotter with each defeat. The losses have allowed him to vent some of the frustration he’s having with the players who are going through it adjusting to another new system. The players wanted a coach that would make sure bad habits were eliminated and not allowed to fester and on Wednesday, they got to see it much clearer.

“Taking one or two shifts up to this point hasn’t worked,” Ruff said. “Sitting the odd guy out hasn’t worked.”

More ahead on an eighth straight loss and what in the world comes next.