As the 1-2-1 Sabres try to gain their footing on the ice, their coaches are doing the same off it. They’ll head into Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia learning about the players, the system and each other.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Dan,” Woods said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the ownership. I like the looks of the young group that’s starting to really come.

“You want to be part of an organization that’s going to give you an opportunity to have a chance to win, and this was a great fit.”

The chance to work with a young core of players is what led Ward and Woods to Buffalo. They’re teaming up to coach the power play, while Murray is handling the penalty kill and defense.

For Woods, it’s a return to the NHL. He was an assistant under Bruce Boudreau in Washington and Anaheim from 2009 to 2014. He spent the past two seasons as coach and general manager of Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League, but something shiny was too tantalizing to stay.

“You can’t win the Stanley Cup there,” the 48-year-old said. “This city would love to have a winner, and if we could be a part of that it would be really special.”