Sabres' HC Lindy Ruff: Buffalo 'starting to slip' as struggles continue

The Buffalo Sabres lost 4-3 to the New York Islanders on Friday night, in a game that head coach Lindy Ruff was not happy with. Frankly, Ruff felt the Sabres handed the game over to the Isles and the head coach took some accountability about not having his team properly prepared.

The Sabres are 4-6-1 to start the year, and despite hanging around early in the Atlantic Division, Ruff didn't mince words after their latest loss, admitting he feels the team is starting to slip. 

"Let's be real. We handed them three goals," Ruff said postgame. "We've been playing pretty tight but it's just starting to slip." 

"This game isn't on our goalie," Ruff said. "I have to clean up, that's on me. I've got to clean up our play. We've been defending well, we had a focal point on making sure we stay around the front of the net. The first goal and the fourth goal are goals that just can't happen."

The worst part about Friday's loss, the Islanders played almost half of the game with only had four defensemen. "When you've got guys who are struggling and are thinking offense, it's eventually going to bite you, and it bit a few guys tonight," Ruff said.

Buffalo has been led by Tage Thompson, who is having a bounce-back season, however they need more from Dylan Cozens, who has only one goal and four points in 11 games. There's also Jack Quinn who has just two points, so Thompson is going to need some help up front if the Sabres want to get into the playoff picture. Buffalo is back in action on Saturday, when they'll face off against the Detroit Red Wings.

Photo credit:  Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images