Two second-period goals followed the scoreless first, and over the final 40 minutes, the Sabres held a 31-14 advantage in shots on goal. As scheduled, Devon Levi relieved Georgiev for a six-save third period.
“I thought we took the game over,” Ruff said.
Georgiev has done a lot of winning in his career – 151 total victories, including league-leading totals in 2022-23 (40) and 2023-24 (38) – and intends to do more. He’s hungry to re-establish himself as one of the NHL’s top netminders, and this preseason marks his first step on that quest.
“Obviously (want to) get back to where I’m one of the better goalies in the league,” he said. “Played a lot of games, got to an All-Star (Game); I feel like this is my level, and I want to get back to that – and be a big part of getting to the playoffs here.”
The Sabres had already expressed confidence in their goalie group of Luukkonen and Alex Lyon in Buffalo, plus Levi continuing to develop in Rochester. That said, a back-in-form Georgiev would force some tough roster decisions with the regular season right around the corner.
“He’s just got to use this platform,” said Ruff, an assistant coach with the Rangers when Georgiev broke into the league there. “I think it’s an opportunity for him to say, ‘I can be a goaltender that can really help you guys out.’ Every opportunity that he gets is a statement that he’s gonna make to us.”
Here are some more takeaways from Buffalo’s 4-0 win.