Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, after the 4 Nations break, had a plan to keep his club motivated to make a late run and challenge for a playoff spot. He planned to earn seven points in each five-game block and win the final three games of the regular season to reach 90 points. That plan did not work, as the Sabres fell short in the first five-game block and endured a six-game winless skid before a 3-2 win over Edmonton on Monday.