Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After a thrilling five-game homestand, the Buffalo Sabres are now heading out West to start a four-game road trip, starting on Tuesday with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Sabres continue to keep pace to make the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, winning 9-of-10 games coming out of the Olympic break and shooting to the top of the Atlantic Division standings.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff admits this season has been quite a magical run compared to last season.
"It's one of those ones where you really don't want to talk about it, or knock on wood, because you don't want something to happen," said Ruff on Tuesday during his weekly appearance on the "Jeremy and Joe Show" on WGR. "When you get on a roll like this, it's a lot of fun. The atmosphere and the energy the players have every day is incredible, and I think we went through it a lot of adversity last year - which I talked about - and think we learned from that."
Following the NHL Trade Deadline, the Sabres now have a roster with several depth pieces up front and on the back end that can be rotated in-and-out of the lineup. This includes the likes of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn on defense, as well as Tanner Pearson on the wing.
While depth can be a blessing, or sometimes a curse when it comes to some roster decisions, Ruff is only concerned about taking things one game at a time en route to clinching a playoff spot.
"What is the best lineup? It's going to help us win tonight. But it is, right now, all about locking up a spot," said Ruff with Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase. "You can see how incredibly tight the East still is from first and ninth place, there's nine points [of separation]. There's a heck of a battle going on here in in the East, and for myself and the staff, it's only about the next game and making sure we win."
