Ruff, Regier factor into Sabres hot start

It’s not just about accountability among players. It’s about accountability throughout the organization.

Coach Lindy Ruff is taking that to heart.

His drastic change in coaching has been much remarked upon in the Buffalo area lately — his decision to shy away from his traditional method of tearing players apart when they don’t show up and to give the locker room leaders more leeway in keeping the team honest. His shift toward giving days off after ugly losses rather than harsh practice regimens.

His decision to go against instinct and run the trap against the Flyers paid off. He’s remaking himself as a coach, both in methodology in the locker room and methodology on the ice.

The results don’t lie – the team is responding well to this approach.

Likewise, the front office is being more proactive. The decision to call up Tyler Ennis – which was credited to Darcy Regier in Ruff’s post-game comments – was a good one. It meant only one line was disrupted, rather than disrupting the chemistry of an entire team that was performing well. It paid off – Ennis scored his NHL first goal in his NHL first game, and the Sabres outhustled an overwhelmed-looking Flyers squad on their way to a 3-2 victory in the second of back to backs.

It’s part of a larger organizational effort to work to make wins happen, rather than sitting back and hoping they come the Sabres’ way –

– and fans are liking what they’re seeing.

- C.