Lindy Ruff knows Canadiens top line will break out eventually

The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a huge upset in the first round after eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. On Wednesday night, they began their series against the Buffalo Sabres, who made it past the Boston Bruins in six games in the opening round. Given the Canadiens' going through a tough team with playoff experience, one would think it would give them an advantage over the Sabres.

That wasn't the case, as they lost 4-2 to the Sabres. The team fell to a quick 2-0 deficit in the first period after giving up goals to Josh Doan and Ryan McLeod within the first 14 minutes of Game 1. It also didn't help that Montreal's top line, consisting of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, didn't keep up. Sure, Suzuki did have the power play goal, which Slafkovsky assisted on, but the top trio was relatively quiet throughout these playoffs, especially after the beginning of the first round.

Even with the trio slumping, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff knows that it's only a matter of time before they all break out.

“They’re a good team, they just beat a good team,” said Ruff, h/t The Athletic's Arpon Basu. “That top line, Slafkovský is one hell of a player. And then you’ve got a 50-goal scorer on that line at the same time. Maybe they will generate a little bit more.”

Lindy Ruff praises Canadiens' top line, knows they will break out eventually

Ruff knows the potential that the trio has, and it's only a matter of time until they truly have their moment together with big performances.

Suzuki did secure a goal at the end of the first period on the power play, thanks in part to the set-up pass to Slafkovsky from the other side of the net. Slafkovsky dished the puck to Suzuki, who buried it in the back of the net to cut their deficit to 2-1. Ultimately, that was all the trio could muster together.

When you have a top line, you'd expect them to be the most productive throughout these playoffs, especially at even strength. But in those scenarios, the trio only produced two points, both of which were by Suzuki (one goal, one assist).

Slafkovsky has shown he can be a threat in these playoffs, particularly in Game 1 against the Lightning, where he scored a hat trick, with every goal coming on the power play. But after that game, he didn't register a point for the remainder of that series against the Canadiens.

As for Caufield, he has looked frustrated in these playoffs, as he hasn't scored a goal since Game 4 against the Lightning. Since then, he's gone goalless on eight shots. That's not ideal for a player who put up 51 goals in the regular season. But it's still early enough in the series that he could get a lucky bounce and build up his confidence again.

Ruff knows it's only a matter of time until Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and Caufield all get on the same page and are issues for the Sabres. Maybe things change in Game 2 on Friday night. If it doesn't happen then, it may be time to panic.

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