Ruff: Sabres 'handed' Islanders 3 goals in defeat

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff believes his team beat themselves on Friday night.

The Sabres fell 4-3 to a New York Islanders squad that entered Friday with the league's worst offense and played nearly half the game with only four defensemen.

"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."

Ruff was quick to defend netminder Devon Levi, who surrendered four goals on 36 shots. The veteran bench boss took the blame for some of the team's sloppy defensive play.

"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 Islanders' first goal came on a breakaway by Bo Horvat. Defenseman Connor Clifton was pinching, but his post wasn't adequately covered by winger Jack Quinn.

On the eventual game-winner, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was left all alone in front of the net.

Ruff didn't name names, but he believes some of the team's slumping players were burned trying to cheat for offense.

"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," he said.

At 4-6-1, the Sabres find themselves tied for last place in the jumbled Atlantic Division. They're back in action Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.