Ruff chastises Samuelsson's costly slashing penalty: 'Hockey suicide'

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson's costly slashing penalty during Thursday's 3-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings didn't impress head coach Lindy Ruff.

"The Samuelsson (slash) is like hockey suicide to take a penalty like that because our penalty killers have done an unbelievable job," the bench boss told reporters postgame. "That is just lack of composure. ... The killing had been so good to that point.

"We have to learn from that one. We gotta sense that, 'Man, these guys are doing an unbelievable job.' That's not on the officials, that's a good call."

The Kings were already on the power play when Samuelsson slashed forward Alex Turcotte with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. The game was tied at one goal apiece, but captain Anze Kopitar scored the eventual game-winner right as the two-man advantage expired.

Though Ruff understood the call that sent Samuelsson to the box, he disagreed with the roughing penalty and subsequent misconduct on Jason Zucker that came moments before.

"I don't like that one," he said, adding he hadn't yet received an explanation for the call.

Buffalo's penalty kill went four-for-five during the contest, and the unit was solid during its two games in Prague, allowing one goal in six opportunities against the New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres dictated play everywhere but the scoresheet at five-on-five against Los Angeles, controlling 58.4% of the shot attempts, 57.8% of the scoring chances, and 68.3% of the expected goals, per Natural Stat Trick.

Buffalo also had a penalty-shot opportunity, but Ryan McLeod couldn't solve Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

The Sabres have yet to pick up a win this season, with all three losses coming in regulation. They've also mustered just three goals while surrendering 10.

"We've got to take advantage of our chances," new captain Rasmus Dahlin said. "We should not score (just) one goal that game. It's on us, we gotta work on our scoring."

Ruff described his team as "a little bit snakebitten right now."

Buffalo's next chance to pick up its first win comes Saturday against the Florida Panthers.