Ristolainen trying to weather Sabres' slump: 'You can't lose your shit'

Rasmus Ristolainen is attempting to rely on past experiences to stay focused amid the Buffalo Sabres' 10-game losing streak.

"When it's your eighth year and it's been almost identical to the years in the past, at least I have thick skin," he said, per The Athletic's John Vogl. "I know how to handle it. You've got to keep your confidence up and you've got to still work hard. You can't lose your shit after a few losses."

Ristolainen added: "One way or the other, we need to get going. I feel like we need one win and we relieve the pressure in the team, and then maybe we can put some more wins together."

Buffalo was expected to be in playoff contention after making key offseason additions in Taylor Hall and Eric Staal. Instead, the Sabres sit dead last in the NHL and appear bound to extend their league-worst playoff drought to 10 seasons.

Buffalo has been hampered by underperforming players, injuries, and postponements due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Ristolainen, who contracted the virus, detailed his harrowing symptoms in late February.

The Sabres drafted Ristolainen, 26, eighth overall in 2013. He's notched 235 points and averaged nearly 24 minutes per contest in 512 games with the club.

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