The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] Founded in 1970 as an expansion franchise, the Sabres played their homes games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium from their inaugural season to 1996, and currently play in the KeyBank Center. The 2023–24 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, accumulated six division championships and one conference championship, tied for the league lead in points once, appeared in the playoffs 29 times, and reached the Stanley Cup finals twice, losing both times.[2]
The Sabres started play in 1970, and made their first Stanley Cup appearance in 1975, losing the finals in six games against the Philadelphia Flyers. Over the next 10 seasons, the Sabres made a postseason appearance every year, advancing as far as the semifinals in the 1979–80 season, where they lost the series to the New York Islanders in five games. During the ten-year postseason appearance streak, the Sabres won the Prince of Wales Conference twice and the Adams Division three times. The 1985–86 season marked the first time the Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs since the 1973–74 season, missing the point cutoff by 4 points. The Sabres returned two years later in the 1987–88 season, beginning an eight-year postseason appearance streak. During this period, the Sabres only made it past the first round once in the 1992–93 season, where they were subsequently eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in a sweep. The Sabres missed the playoffs in 1996, finishing in 11th of the Eastern Conference with 73 points,[3] 15 points behind the last team that qualified in the Eastern Conference, the Tampa 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 the 1999–2000 season. The 1999 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 the Maple Leafs. The Sabres faced the Dallas Stars in the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals, a series that they lost in six, albeit in dubious fashion. The series ended with a controversial triple-overtime goal in game six where replays showed that Stars forward Brett Hull scored with his skate in the crease. Despite the Sabres protesting the goal, the league stated that the goal had been reviewed and was judged as a good goal.[4]
Following the 2000–01 season, the Sabres went on a three-year postseason appearance drought. After returning from the 2004–05 lockout, the Sabres returned to the postseason, making it to the conference finals against Carolina Hurricanes which was lost in seven. The 2006–07 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.[5] With their regular season success, 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 the 2009–10 season and moved on to the playoffs, being eliminated in the first round by the Bruins in six. 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. Since the 2010–11 season, the Sabres have not made a playoff appearance, setting the all-time record for longest postseason appearance drought in NHL history at 13 years and tying with the New York Jets for the longest active postseason drought across the major four professional sports leagues across North America.[6] 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.[7]
| 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 | scope=colgroup colspan="9" | Regular season[8] [9] | scope=colgroup colspan="7" | 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 | Lost quarterfinals to Montreal Canadiens, 2–4 | |
| 1973–74 | 1973–74 | — | East | 5th | 78 | 32 | 34 | 12 | — | 76 | 242 | 250 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1974–75 | 1974–75 | Wales | Adams | 1st | 80 | 49 | 16 | 15 | — | 113 | 354 | 240 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 53 | 58 | Won quarterfinals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 4–1 Won semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–2 Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Philadelphia Flyers, 2–4 | |
| 1975–76 | 1975–76 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | — | 105 | 339 | 240 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 29 | Won preliminary round vs. St. Louis Blues, 2–1 Lost quarterfinals to New York Islanders, 2–4 | |
| 1976–77 | 1976–77 | Wales | Adams | 2nd | 80 | 48 | 24 | 8 | — | 104 | 301 | 220 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 19 | Won preliminary 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 | Won preliminary 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 | Lost preliminary round to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–2 | |
| 1979–80 | 1979–80 | Wales | Adams | 1st | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | — | 110 | 318 | 201 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 48 | 36 | Won preliminary 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 | Won preliminary 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 | Lost division semifinals to Boston Bruins, 1–3 | |
| 1982–83 | 1982–83 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 38 | 29 | 13 | — | 89 | 318 | 285 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 35 | Won division 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 | Lost division semifinals to Quebec Nordiques, 0–3 | |
| 1984–85 | 1984–85 | Wales | Adams | 3rd | 80 | 38 | 28 | 14 | — | 90 | 290 | 237 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 22 | Lost division 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 | Lost division 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 | Lost division 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 | Lost division 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 | Lost division 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 | Lost division 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 | Won division semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–0 Lost division finals to Montreal Canadiens, 0–4 | |
| 1993–94 | 1993–94 | Eastern | Northeast | 4th | 84 | 43 | 32 | 9 | — | 95 | 282 | 218 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 14 | Lost conference quarterfinals to New Jersey Devils, 3–4 | |
| 1994–95 | 1994–95 | Eastern | Northeast | 4th | 48 | 22 | 19 | 7 | — | 51 | 130 | 119 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 18 | Lost conference 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 | Won conference 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 | Won conference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–1 Won conference semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–0 Lost conference finals to Washington Capitals, 2–4 | |
| 1998–99 | 1998–99 | Eastern | Northeast | 4th | 82 | 37 | 28 | 17 | — | 91 | 207 | 175 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 59 | 49 | Won conference quarterfinals vs. Ottawa Senators, 4–0 Won conference semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–2 Won conference finals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–1 Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Dallas Stars, 2–4 | |
| 1999–2000 | 1999–2000 | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 82 | 35 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 85 | 213 | 204 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | Lost conference 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 | Won conference 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 | 2004–05 | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005–06 | 2005–06 | Eastern | Northeast | 2nd | 82 | 52 | 24 | — | 6 | 110 | 281 | 239 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 60 | 49 | Won conference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2 Won conference semifinals vs. Ottawa Senators, 4–1 Lost conference finals to Carolina Hurricanes, 3–4 | |
| 2006–07 | 2006–07 | Eastern | Northeast | 1st | 82 | 53 | 22 | — | 7 | 113 | 308 | 242 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 44 | 39 | Won conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | 2012–13 | Eastern | Northeast | 5th | 48 | 21 | 21 | — | 6 | 48 | 125 | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2013–14 | 2013–14 | Eastern | Atlantic | 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 | 2019–20 | Eastern | Atlantic | 6th | 69 | 30 | 31 | — | 8 | 68 | 195 | 217 | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2020–21 | 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 | 4,191 | 1,918 | 1,673 | 409 | 191 | 4,436 | 13,245 | 12,800 | 256 | 124 | 132 | 763 | 765 | 29 playoff appearances | |||||