After guiding his team to a breakthrough season, head coach Lindy Ruff has earned a contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres.

The veteran coach has signed a two-year extension with the Sabres, the team announced Wednesday.

The Sabres snapped a 14-year playoff drought this season, winning the Atlantic Division. Buffalo beat the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs before losing to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 in overtime in the second round.

Ruff was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

The 66-year-old Ruff was hired for his second go-around with the Sabres prior to last season by ex-general manager Kevyn Adams.

Adams was fired and replaced by Jarmo Kekelainen last December before the Sabres turned their season around under Ruff.

Ruff originally coached the Sabres from 1997 to 2012, highlighted by a loss to the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.

The former Sabres defenceman has also been the head coach of the Stars and New Jersey Devils.