The 65-year-old Ruff got his second chance to coach the Sabres in April after Don Granato was fired following three-plus seasons. In being rehired after head-coaching stops in Dallas and New Jersey, Ruff became the Sabres seventh coach since he was fired two months into the labor-dispute-shortened 2014 season.

The Sabres’ 3-2 victory supported Lindy Ruff’s stance that he’s making progress in his mission to fix the franchise that he decided to re-join as coach in April.