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1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season

The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the 27th for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1] The season was the first season in the newly constructed Marine Midland Arena. The Sabres also underwent a drastic uniform change, replacing the blue and gold colors and classic crest with a black and red color scheme and new white buffalo-head logo. The Sabres won their first Northeast Division title, their first division title in 16 years.

1996–97 Buffalo Sabres
Northeast Division champions
Division1st Northeast
Conference2nd Eastern
1996–97 record40–30–12
Home record24–11–6
Road record16–19–6
Goals for237
Goals against208
Team information
General managerJohn Muckler
CoachTed Nolan
CaptainPat LaFontaine
ArenaMarine Midland Arena
Average attendance16,911
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans
South Carolina Stingrays
Team leaders
GoalsDonald Audette (28)
AssistsGarry Galley (34)
PointsDerek Plante (53)
Penalty minutesRob Ray (286)
Plus/minusMichael Peca (+26)
WinsDominik Hasek (37)
Goals against averageDominik Hasek (2.27)

Off-season

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Regular season

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On January 12, 1997, Jason Dawe scored just ten seconds into the overtime period to give the Sabres a 3–2 road win over the Phoenix Coyotes.[2] It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1996–97 NHL regular season.[3]

The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals (4) and scored the most shorthanded goals (16) in the NHL. The Sabres' power play struggled, as they finished 26th in power-play percentage, with 13.19% (43 for 326).[4] The Sabres were also shut out a league-high 10 times during the regular season.[5]

Season standings

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Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 2 Buffalo Sabres 82 40 30 12 237 208 92
2 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 38 36 8 285 280 84
3 7 Ottawa Senators 82 31 36 15 226 234 77
4 8 Montreal Canadiens 82 31 36 15 249 276 77
5 10 Hartford Whalers 82 32 39 11 226 256 75
6 13 Boston Bruins 82 26 47 9 234 300 61
Eastern Conference[6]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 45 23 14 231 182 104
2 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 40 30 12 237 208 92
3 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 45 24 13 274 217 103
4 Florida Panthers ATL 82 35 28 19 221 201 89
5 New York Rangers ATL 82 38 34 10 258 231 86
6 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 38 36 8 285 280 84
7 Ottawa Senators NE 82 31 36 15 226 234 77
8 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 31 36 15 249 276 77
9 Washington Capitals ATL 82 33 40 9 214 231 75
10 Hartford Whalers NE 82 32 39 11 226 256 75
11 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 32 40 10 217 247 74
12 New York Islanders ATL 82 29 41 12 240 250 70
13 Boston Bruins NE 82 26 47 9 234 300 61

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Playoffs

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See also: 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs

The Sabres defeated the Ottawa Senators in the first round. The series was played to overtime in Game 7. Derek Plante scored the series clinching goal in overtime. The Sabres then lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in five games in the second round.

Schedule and results

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Regular season

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1996–97 regular season[7]
October: 5–6–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 L October 4, 1996 3–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 0–1–0 Recap
2 L October 6, 1996 0–3 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 0–2–0 Recap
3 W October 9, 1996 2–1 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 1–2–0 Recap
4 L October 12, 1996 1–6 Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 1–3–0 Recap
5 L October 15, 1996 0–4 Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 1–4–0 Recap
6 W October 17, 1996 4–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 2–4–0 Recap
7 W October 18, 1996 4–1 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 3–4–0 Recap
8 W October 24, 1996 6–3 Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 4–4–0 Recap
9 W October 26, 1996 6–3 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 5–4–0 Recap
10 L October 27, 1996 4–6 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 5–5–0 Recap
11 L October 30, 1996 0–2 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 5–6–0 Recap
November: 8–5–1 (home: 4–1–0; road: 4–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
12 W November 1, 1996 4–2 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 6–6–0 Recap
13 T November 2, 1996 0–0 OT @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 6–6–1 Recap
14 L November 7, 1996 2–5 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 6–7–1 Recap
15 L November 9, 1996 3–4 OT @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 6–8–1 Recap
16 W November 11, 1996 3–2 OT Florida Panthers (1996–97) 7–8–1 Recap
17 L November 12, 1996 0–3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 7–9–1 Recap
18 W November 14, 1996 5–4 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 8–9–1 Recap
19 L November 19, 1996 3–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 8–10–1 Recap
20 W November 21, 1996 6–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 9–10–1 Recap
21 W November 23, 1996 3–2 OT @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 10–10–1 Recap
22 L November 26, 1996 3–4 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 10–11–1 Recap
23 W November 27, 1996 3–0 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 11–11–1 Recap
24 W November 29, 1996 3–0 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 12–11–1 Recap
25 W November 30, 1996 3–2 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 13–11–1 Recap
December: 7–4–2 (home: 4–2–1; road: 3–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
26 L December 4, 1996 6–7 OT Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 13–12–1 Recap
27 T December 6, 1996 1–1 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 13–12–2 Recap
28 L December 7, 1996 4–6 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 13–13–2 Recap
29 W December 11, 1996 3–2 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 14–13–2 Recap
30 L December 13, 1996 0–3 New York Rangers (1996–97) 14–14–2 Recap
31 W December 14, 1996 4–0 @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 15–14–2 Recap
32 W December 18, 1996 5–3 Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 16–14–2 Recap
33 W December 20, 1996 6–2 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 17–14–2 Recap
34 W December 21, 1996 3–2 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 18–14–2 Recap
35 T December 23, 1996 0–0 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 18–14–3 Recap
36 W December 26, 1996 5–1 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 19–14–3 Recap
37 L December 28, 1996 0–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 19–15–3 Recap
38 W December 31, 1996 6–5 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 20–15–3 Recap
January: 7–4–2 (home: 5–2–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
39 T January 3, 1997 2–2 OT St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 20–15–4 Recap
40 W January 5, 1997 5–1 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 21–15–4 Recap
41 T January 7, 1997 1–1 OT @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 21–15–5 Recap
42 L January 9, 1997 3–6 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 21–16–5 Recap
43 L January 10, 1997 2–5 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 21–17–5 Recap
44 W January 12, 1997 3–2 OT @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 22–17–5 Recap
45 W January 15, 1997 2–1 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 23–17–5 Recap
46 W January 20, 1997 2–1 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 24–17–5 Recap
47 W January 22, 1997 6–1 Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 25–17–5 Recap
48 L January 24, 1997 1–3 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 25–18–5 Recap
49 L January 25, 1997 1–5 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 25–19–5 Recap
50 W January 29, 1997 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 26–19–5 Recap
51 W January 31, 1997 3–1 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 27–19–5 Recap
February: 5–1–5 (home: 4–0–4; road: 1–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
52 T February 2, 1997 2–2 OT Washington Capitals (1996–97) 27–19–6 Recap
53 T February 4, 1997 1–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 27–19–7 Recap
54 T February 6, 1997 1–1 OT Florida Panthers (1996–97) 27–19–8 Recap
55 W February 8, 1997 3–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 28–19–8 Recap
56 W February 9, 1997 2–1 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 29–19–8 Recap
57 T February 12, 1997 2–2 OT Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 29–19–9 Recap
58 W February 16, 1997 6–2 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 30–19–9 Recap
59 T February 18, 1997 5–5 OT Calgary Flames (1996–97) 30–19–10 Recap
60 W February 21, 1997 5–2 New York Islanders (1996–97) 31–19–10 Recap
61 W February 23, 1997 5–1 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 32–19–10 Recap
62 L February 27, 1997 1–4 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 32–20–10 Recap
March: 6–6–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 3–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
63 W March 1, 1997 3–1 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 33–20–10 Recap
64 W March 5, 1997 4–2 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 34–20–10 Recap
65 T March 8, 1997 3–3 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 34–20–11 Recap
66 L March 9, 1997 1–4 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 34–21–11 Recap
67 W March 11, 1997 3–2 OT Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 35–21–11 Recap
68 W March 15, 1997 7–5 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 36–21–11 Recap
69 W March 17, 1997 5–1 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 37–21–11 Recap
70 L March 18, 1997 3–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 37–22–11 Recap
71 W March 21, 1997 4–1 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 38–22–11 Recap
72 L March 22, 1997 2–3 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 38–23–11 Recap
73 L March 26, 1997 2–3 OT New York Islanders (1996–97) 38–24–11 Recap
74 L March 28, 1997 1–2 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 38–25–11 Recap
75 L March 30, 1997 2–3 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 38–26–11 Recap
April: 2–4–1 (home: 1–2–0; road: 1–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
76 T April 1, 1997 1–1 OT @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 38–26–12 Recap
77 L April 2, 1997 0–2 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 38–27–12 Recap
78 W April 4, 1997 5–1 New York Rangers (1996–97) 39–27–12 Recap
79 L April 7, 1997 2–4 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 39–28–12 Recap
80 W April 10, 1997 5–1 @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 40–28–12 Recap
81 L April 12, 1997 0–1 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 40–29–12 Recap
82 L April 13, 1997 3–8 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 40–30–12 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

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1997 Stanley Cup playoffs[7]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (7) Ottawa Senators – Sabres win 4–3
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W April 17, 1997 3–1 Ottawa Senators Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 19, 1997 1–3 Ottawa Senators Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 W April 21, 1997 3–2 @ Ottawa Senators Sabres lead 2–1 Recap
4 L April 23, 1997 0–1 OT @ Ottawa Senators Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 L April 25, 1997 1–4 Ottawa Senators Senators lead 3–2 Recap
6 W April 27, 1997 3–0 @ Ottawa Senators Series tied 3–3 Recap
7 W April 29, 1997 3–2 OT Ottawa Senators Sabres win 4–3 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–1
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 3, 1997 3–5 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 1–0 Recap
2 L May 5, 1997 1–2 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 2–0 Recap
3 L May 7, 1997 1–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 3–0 Recap
4 W May 9, 1997 5–4 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 3–1 Recap
5 L May 11, 1997 3–6 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers win 4–1 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

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Scoring

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  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
26 Derek Plante C 82 27 26 53 14 24 12 4 6 10 4 4
19 Brian Holzinger C 81 22 29 51 9 54 12 2 5 7 −3 8
28 Donald Audette RW 73 28 22 50 −6 48 11 4 5 9 −3 6
27 Michael Peca C 79 20 29 49 26 80 10 0 2 2 −3 8
17[a] Jason Dawe RW 81 22 26 48 14 32 11 2 1 3 −2 6
15 Dixon Ward RW 79 13 32 45 17 36 12 2 3 5 2 6
36 Matthew Barnaby RW 68 19 24 43 16 249 8 0 4 4 2 36
3 Garry Galley D 71 4 34 38 10 102 12 0 6 6 2 14
18 Michal Grosek LW 82 15 21 36 25 71 12 3 3 6 3 8
44 Alexei Zhitnik D 80 7 28 35 10 95 12 1 0 1 −9 16
12 Randy Burridge LW 55 10 21 31 17 20 12 5 1 6 −5 2
42 Richard Smehlik D 62 11 19 30 19 43 12 0 2 2 0 4
8 Darryl Shannon D 82 4 19 23 23 112 12 2 3 5 −1 8
4 Mike Wilson D 77 2 9 11 13 51 10 0 1 1 3 2
81 Miroslav Satan† LW 12 8 2 10 1 4 7 0 0 0 −1 0
32 Rob Ray RW 82 7 3 10 3 286 12 0 1 1 −3 28
74 Jay McKee D 43 1 9 10 3 35 3 0 0 0 0 0
16 Pat LaFontaine C 13 2 6 8 −8 4 — — — — — —
38 Barrie Moore‡ LW 31 2 6 8 1 18 — — — — — —
6[b] Bob Boughner D 77 1 7 8 12 225 11 0 1 1 0 9
37 Curtis Brown C 28 4 3 7 4 18 — — — — — —
10 Brad May LW 42 3 4 7 −8 106 10 1 1 2 −2 32
76 Wayne Primeau C 45 2 4 6 −2 64 9 0 0 0 −2 6
93 Anatoli Semenov C 25 2 4 6 −3 2 — — — — — —
5 Ed Ronan RW 18 1 4 5 4 11 6 1 0 1 −1 6
39 Dominik Hasek G 67 0 3 3 30 3 0 0 0 2
22 Charlie Huddy D 1 0 0 0 −1 0 — — — — — —
40 Rumun Ndur D 2 0 0 0 1 2 — — — — — —
31 Steve Shields G 13 0 0 0 4 10 0 0 0 9
30 Andrei Trefilov G 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
25 Vaclav Varada RW 5 0 0 0 0 2 — — — — — —

Goaltending

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No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
39 Dominik Hasek 67 37 20 10 2177 153 2.27 .930 5 4037 3 1 1 68 5 1.96 .926 0 153
31 Steve Shields 13 3 8 2 447 39 2.96 .913 0 789 10 4 6 334 26 2.74 .922 1 570
30 Andrei Trefilov 3 0 2 0 98 10 3.78 .898 0 159 1 0 0 4 0 0.00 1.000 0 5

Awards and records

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Awards

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Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		Hart Memorial Trophy Dominik Hasek [8]
Frank J. Selke Trophy Michael Peca [9]
Jack Adams Award Ted Nolan [10]
Lester B. Pearson Award Dominik Hasek [11]
Lester Patrick Trophy Seymour H. Knox III [12]
Pat LaFontaine
NHL First All-Star team Dominik Hasek (Goaltender) [13]
Vezina Trophy Dominik Hasek [14]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Dominik Hasek [15]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Rumun Ndur November 9, 1996 [16]

Draft picks

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Buffalo's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[17]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 7 Erik Rasmussen   United States University of Minnesota (WCHA)
2 27 Cory Sarich   Canada Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
2 33 Darren Van Oene   Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
3 54 Francois Methot   Canada Saint-Hyacinthe Laser (QMJHL)
4 87 Kurt Walsh   Canada Owen Sound Platers (OHL)
4 106 Mike Martone   Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)
5 115 Alexei Tezikov   Russia Lada Togliatti (Russia)
6 142 Ryan Davis   Canada Owen Sound Platers (OHL)
6 161 Darren Mortier   Canada Sarnia Sting (OHL)
9 222 Scott Buhler   Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Notes

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  1. ^ Dawe wore number 43 in his first two games.
  2. ^ Boughner wore number 46 in his first four games.

References

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  • "Buffalo Sabres 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  • "1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  1. ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
  2. ^ "Top Orlando News, Weather, Sports, Entertainment". Archived from the original on January 10, 2014.
  3. ^ "1996-97 NHL Schedule and Results".
  4. ^ "1996-97 NHL Summary".
  5. ^ "1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Schedule and Results".
  6. ^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  7. ^ a b "1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Hart Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Frank J. Selke Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "Jack Adams Award". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Ted Lindsay Award". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  12. ^ "Lester Patrick Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Vezina Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  15. ^ "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "1996-97 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
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