TheBuffalo Sabres are a professionalice hockey team based inBuffalo, New York. They are members of theAtlantic Division in theEastern Conference of theNational Hockey League (NHL).[1] Founded on May 22, 1970, as an expansion franchise, the Sabres played their homes games at theBuffalo Memorial Auditorium from their inaugural season to 1996, and since 1996 have played in theKeyBank Center.[2] The2023–24 NHL season marked the 54th year of operation for the franchise. As of the end of the 2023–24 season, the Sabres have won 1,918 regular season games, tying for the league lead in points once for thePresidents' Trophy. They have appeared in the playoffs 29 times, accumulating six division championships and one conference championship, while reaching theStanley Cup finals twice, losing both times.[3]
The Sabres started play in the1970–71 season, and made their first Stanley Cup appearance in1975, losing the finals in six games against thePhiladelphia Flyers. Over the next 10 seasons, the Sabres made a postseason appearance every year, advancing as far as the semifinals in the1979–80 season, where they lost the series to theNew York Islanders in five games. During the ten-year postseason appearance streak, the Sabres won thePrince of Wales Conference twice and theAdams Division three times. The1985–86 season marked the first time the Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs since the1973–74 season, missing the point cutoff by 4 points. The Sabres returned two years later in the1987–88 season, beginning an eight-year postseason appearance streak. During this period, the Sabres only made it past the first round once in the1992–93 season, where they were subsequently eliminated by theMontreal Canadiens in asweep. The Sabres missed the playoffs in1996, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference with 73 points,[4] 15 points behind the last team that qualified in the Eastern Conference, theTampa Bay Lightning. The Sabres returned to the postseason the following year, starting their most successful postseason appearance streak, lasting for five years. Compared to the previous streak, the Sabres managed to advance past the first round in every season with the exception of the1999–2000 season. The1999 playoff run is the most recent appearance in the Stanley Cup finals for the Sabres as of the 2023–24 season. The Sabres had won the conference by beating the Senators, the Bruins, and theMaple Leafs. The Sabres faced theDallas Stars in the1999 Stanley Cup Finals, a series that they lost in six, albeit in controversial fashion. The series ended with a triple-overtime goal in game six where replays showed that Stars forwardBrett Hull scored with his skate in thecrease. Despite the Sabres protesting the goal, the league stated that the goal had been reviewed and was judged as a good goal.[5]
Following the2000–01 season, the Sabres went on a three-year postseason appearance drought. After returning from the2004–05 lockout, the Sabres returned to the postseason, making it to the conference finals against theCarolina Hurricanes, which was lost in seven games. The2006–07 season saw the Sabres put on their best performance in franchise history, with a franchise-high 53 wins to win the division and the Presidents' Trophy at 113 points.[6] They advanced to the conference finals for the second year in a row, where they lost to the Senators in five. The Sabres would not make the playoffs for another two seasons. The Sabres won the Northeast division in the2009–10 season and moved on to the playoffs, being eliminated in the first round by the Bruins in six games. The same fate happened the following year when they made the playoffs and got eliminated in the first round, this time by the Philadelphia Flyers in seven games. Since the2010–11 season, the Sabres have not made a playoff appearance, setting the all-time record forlongest postseason appearance drought in NHL history at 13 seasons and tying with theNew York Jets for the longest active postseason drought across themajor four professional sports leagues in North America.[7] The Sabres have also not won a single postseason series since the 2006–07 season, tying for 5th in all-time postseason series win droughts. The playoff drought has been accredited to multiple reasons, including failures of rebuilds, a lack of depth in rosters, and injuries to key players over multiple seasons.[8]
Color/symbol | Explanation |
---|---|
† | Stanley Cup champions |
‡ | Conference champions |
↑ | Division champions |
# | Led league in points |
Term or abbreviation | Definition |
---|---|
Finish | Final position in division or league standings |
GP | Number of games played |
W | Number of wins |
L | Number of losses |
T | Number of ties (ending after the 2004–05 season) |
OT | Number of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season) |
Pts | Number of points |
GF | Goals for (goals scored by the Sabres) |
GA | Goals against (goals scored by the Sabres' opponents) |
— | Does not apply |
NHL season | Sabres season | Conference | Division | Regular season[9][10] | Postseason | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finish | GP | W | L | T | OT | Pts | GF | GA | GP | W | L | GF | GA | Playoffs Result | |||||
1970–71 | 1970–71 | — | East | 5th | 78 | 24 | 39 | 15 | — | 63 | 217 | 291 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1971–72 | 1971–72 | — | East | 6th | 78 | 16 | 43 | 19 | — | 51 | 203 | 289 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1972–73 | 1972–73 | — | East | 4th | 78 | 37 | 27 | 14 | — | 88 | 257 | 219 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 21 | Lostquarterfinals toMontreal Canadiens, 2–4 | |
1973–74 | 1973–74 | — | East | 5th | 78 | 32 | 34 | 12 | — | 76 | 242 | 250 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1974–75 | 1974–75 | Wales‡[a] | Adams↑ | 1st | 80 | 49 | 16 | 15 | — | 113 | 354 | 240 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 53 | 58 | Wonquarterfinals vs.Chicago Blackhawks, 4–1 Won semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–2 LostStanley Cup Finals toPhiladelphia Flyers, 2–4 | |
1975–76 | 1975–76 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | — | 105 | 339 | 240 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 29 | Wonpreliminary round vs.St. Louis Blues, 2–1 Lost quarterfinals toNew York Islanders, 2–4 | |
1976–77 | 1976–77 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 48 | 24 | 8 | — | 104 | 301 | 220 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 19 | Wonpreliminary round vs.Minnesota North Stars, 2–0 Lost quarterfinals to New York Islanders, 0–4 | |
1977–78 | 1977–78 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 44 | 19 | 17 | — | 105 | 288 | 215 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 22 | Wonpreliminary round vs. New York Rangers, 2–1 Lost quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 1–4 | |
1978–79 | 1978–79 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 36 | 28 | 16 | — | 88 | 280 | 263 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | Lostpreliminary round toPittsburgh Penguins, 1–2 | |
1979–80 | 1979–80 | Wales‡ | Adams↑ | 1st | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | — | 110 | 318 | 201 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 48 | 36 | Wonpreliminary round vs.Vancouver Canucks, 3–1 Won quarterfinals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 4–0 Lost semifinals to New York Islanders, 1–4 | |
1980–81 | 1980–81 | Wales | Adams↑ | 1st | 80 | 39 | 20 | 21 | — | 99 | 327 | 250 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 30 | Wonpreliminary round vs. Vancouver Canucks, 3–0 Lost quarterfinals to Minnesota North Stars, 1–4 | |
1981–82 | 1981–82 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 39 | 26 | 15 | — | 93 | 307 | 273 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | Lostdivision semifinals toBoston Bruins, 1–3 | |
1982–83 | 1982–83 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 38 | 29 | 13 | — | 89 | 318 | 285 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 35 | Wondivision semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 3–0 Lost division finals to Boston Bruins, 3–4 | |
1983–84 | 1983–84 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 48 | 25 | 7 | — | 103 | 315 | 257 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 13 | Lostdivision semifinals toQuebec Nordiques, 0–3 | |
1984–85 | 1984–85 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 38 | 28 | 14 | — | 90 | 290 | 237 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 22 | Lostdivision semifinals to Quebec Nordiques, 2–3 | |
1985–86 | 1985–86 | Wales | Adams | 5th | 80 | 37 | 37 | 6 | — | 80 | 296 | 291 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1986–87 | 1986–87 | Wales | Adams | 5th | 80 | 28 | 44 | 8 | — | 64 | 280 | 308 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1987–88 | 1987–88 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 37 | 32 | 11 | — | 85 | 283 | 305 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 28 | Lostdivision semifinals to Boston Bruins, 2–4 | |
1988–89 | 1988–89 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 38 | 35 | 7 | — | 83 | 291 | 299 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 16 | Lostdivision semifinals to Boston Bruins, 1–4 | |
1989–90 | 1989–90 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 45 | 27 | 8 | — | 98 | 286 | 248 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 17 | Lostdivision semifinals to Montreal Canadiens, 2–4 | |
1990–91 | 1990–91 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 31 | 30 | 19 | — | 81 | 292 | 278 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 24 | 29 | Lostdivision semifinals to Montreal Canadiens, 2–4 | |
1991–92 | 1991–92 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 31 | 37 | 12 | — | 74 | 289 | 299 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 19 | Lostdivision semifinals to Boston Bruins, 3–4 | |
1992–93 | 1992–93 | Wales | Adams | 4th | 84 | 38 | 36 | 10 | — | 86 | 335 | 297 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 28 | Wondivision semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–0 Lost division finals to Montreal Canadiens, 0–4 | |
1993–94 | 1993–94 | Eastern[b] | Northeast | 4th | 84 | 43 | 32 | 9 | — | 95 | 282 | 218 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 14 | Lostconference quarterfinals toNew Jersey Devils, 3–4 | |
1994–95[c] | 1994–95 | Eastern | Northeast | 4th | 48 | 22 | 19 | 7 | — | 51 | 130 | 119 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 18 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 1–4 | |
1995–96 | 1995–96 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 82 | 33 | 42 | 7 | — | 73 | 247 | 262 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
1996–97 | 1996–97 | Eastern | Northeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | — | 92 | 237 | 208 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 34 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs.Ottawa Senators, 4–3 Lost conference semifinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 1–4 | |
1997–98 | 1997–98 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 36 | 29 | 17 | — | 89 | 211 | 187 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 46 | 32 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–1 Won conference semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–0 Lost conference finals toWashington Capitals, 2–4 | |
1998–99 | 1998–99 | Eastern‡ | Northeast | 4th | 82 | 37 | 28 | 17 | — | 91 | 207 | 175 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 59 | 49 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Ottawa Senators, 4–0 Won conference semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–2 Won conference finals vs.Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–1 LostStanley Cup Finals toDallas Stars, 2–4 | |
1999–2000 | 1999–2000 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 35 | 32 | 11 | 4[d] | 85 | 213 | 204 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 1–4 | |
2000–01 | 2000–01 | Eastern | Northeast | 2nd | 82 | 46 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 98 | 218 | 184 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 38 | 30 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2 Lost conference semifinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 | |
2001–02 | 2001–02 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 82 | 35 | 35 | 11 | 1 | 82 | 213 | 200 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2002–03 | 2002–03 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 82 | 27 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 72 | 190 | 219 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2003–04 | 2003–04 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 82 | 37 | 34 | 7 | 4 | 85 | 220 | 221 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2004–05[e] | 2004–05 | Season cancelled due to2004–05 NHL lockout | |||||||||||||||||
2005–06 | 2005–06 | Eastern | Northeast | 2nd | 82 | 52 | 24 | —[f] | 6 | 110 | 281 | 239 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 60 | 49 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2 Won conference semifinals vs. Ottawa Senators, 4–1 Lost conference finals toCarolina Hurricanes, 3–4 | |
2006–07 | 2006–07 | Eastern | Northeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 53 | 22 | — | 7 | 113# | 308 | 242 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 44 | 39 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. New York Islanders, 4–1 Won conference semifinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2 Lost conference finals to Ottawa Senators, 1–4 | |
2007–08 | 2007–08 | Eastern | Northeast | 4th | 82 | 39 | 31 | — | 12 | 90 | 255 | 242 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2008–09 | 2008–09 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 41 | 32 | — | 9 | 91 | 250 | 234 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2009–10 | 2009–10 | Eastern | Northeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 45 | 27 | — | 10 | 100 | 235 | 207 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 16 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Boston Bruins, 2–4 | |
2010–11 | 2010–11 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 43 | 29 | — | 10 | 96 | 245 | 229 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 22 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 3–4 | |
2011–12 | 2011–12 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 39 | 32 | — | 11 | 89 | 218 | 230 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2012–13[g] | 2012–13 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 48 | 21 | 21 | — | 6 | 48 | 125 | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2013–14 | 2013–14 | Eastern | Atlantic[h] | 8th | 82 | 21 | 51 | — | 10 | 52 | 157 | 248 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2014–15 | 2014–15 | Eastern | Atlantic | 8th | 82 | 23 | 51 | — | 8 | 54 | 161 | 274 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2015–16 | 2015–16 | Eastern | Atlantic | 7th | 82 | 35 | 36 | — | 11 | 81 | 201 | 222 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2016–17 | 2016–17 | Eastern | Atlantic | 8th | 82 | 33 | 37 | — | 12 | 78 | 201 | 237 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2017–18 | 2017–18 | Eastern | Atlantic | 8th | 82 | 25 | 45 | — | 12 | 62 | 199 | 280 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2018–19 | 2018–19 | Eastern | Atlantic | 6th | 82 | 33 | 39 | — | 10 | 76 | 226 | 271 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2019–20[i] | 2019–20 | Eastern | Atlantic | 6th | 69 | 30 | 31 | — | 8 | 68 | 195 | 217 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2020–21[j] | 2020–21 | — | East | 8th | 56 | 15 | 34 | — | 7 | 37 | 138 | 199 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2021–22 | 2021–22 | Eastern | Atlantic | 5th | 82 | 32 | 39 | — | 11 | 75 | 232 | 290 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2022–23 | 2022–23 | Eastern | Atlantic | 5th | 82 | 42 | 33 | — | 7 | 91 | 296 | 300 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
2023–24 | 2023–24 | Eastern | Atlantic | 6th | 82 | 39 | 37 | — | 6 | 84 | 246 | 244 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
Totals[k] | 4,191 | 1,918 | 1,673 | 409 | 191 | 4,436 | 13,245 | 12,800 | 256 | 124 | 132 | 763 | 765 | 29 playoff appearances |