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1994–95 Buffalo Sabres season

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1994–95 Buffalo Sabres
Division4th Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
1994–95 record22–19–7
Home record15–8–1
Road record7–11–6
Goals for130
Goals against119
Team information
General managerJohn Muckler
CoachJohn Muckler
CaptainPat LaFontaine
ArenaBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
Average attendance15,052
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans
South Carolina Stingrays
Team leaders
GoalsDonald Audette (24)
AssistsAlexander Mogilny (28)
PointsAlexander Mogilny (47)
Penalty minutesRob Ray (173)
Plus/minusYuri Khmylev (+8)
WinsDominik Hasek (19)
Goals against averageDominik Hasek (2.11)

The 1994–95 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 25th season in the National Hockey League. The season was marked by injuries to star forwards Dale Hawerchuk and Pat LaFontaine, who each missed over half of the lockout-shortened season. Donald Audette, Alexander Mogilny and Wayne Presley filled the offensive hole left by the absence of LaFontaine and Hawerchuk, as Audette led the team in goals (24), Mogilny led in assists (28) and points (47) and Presley led in shorthanded goals (5). Thanks to Presley's contribution in this offensive category, the Sabres tied the Washington Capitals with the most shorthanded goals scored by any team during the regular season (13). Dominik Hasek led all goaltenders in save percentage with .930, goals against average with 2.11 (tied with Rick Tabaracci of the Washington Capitals/Calgary Flames) and shutouts with 5 (tied with Ed Belfour of the Chicago Blackhawks). The Sabres were one of only three teams (the other two being the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Quebec Nordiques) not to be shut out in any of their regular season games or playoff games.[1][2]

The team's playoff run was brief, as they were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers in five games.

Off-season

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Regular season

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On April 4, 1995, the Sabres scored three short-handed goals in a 6–3 home win over the Hartford Whalers.[3]

The Sabres scored the fewest even-strength goals during the regular season (72).

Season standings

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Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Quebec Nordiques 48 30 13 5 185 134 65
2 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 48 29 16 3 181 158 61
3 4 Boston Bruins 48 27 18 3 150 127 57
4 7 Buffalo Sabres 48 22 19 7 130 119 51
5 10 Hartford Whalers 48 19 24 5 127 141 43
6 11 Montreal Canadiens 48 18 23 7 125 148 43
7 14 Ottawa Senators 48 9 34 5 117 174 23

[4]

Eastern Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Quebec Nordiques NE 48 30 13 5 185 134 65
2 Philadelphia Flyers AT 48 28 16 4 150 132 60
3 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 48 29 16 3 181 158 61
4 Boston Bruins NE 48 27 18 3 150 127 57
5 New Jersey Devils AT 48 22 18 8 136 121 52
6 Washington Capitals AT 48 22 18 8 136 120 52
7 Buffalo Sabres NE 48 22 19 7 130 119 51
8 New York Rangers AT 48 22 23 3 139 134 47
9 Florida Panthers AT 48 20 22 6 115 127 46
10 Hartford Whalers NE 48 19 24 5 127 141 43
11 Montreal Canadiens NE 48 18 23 7 125 148 43
12 Tampa Bay Lightning AT 48 17 28 3 120 144 37
13 New York Islanders AT 48 15 28 5 126 158 35
14 Ottawa Senators NE 48 9 34 5 117 174 23

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

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Regular season

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1994–95 regular season[2]
January: 3–2–1 (home: 1–1–0; road: 2–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W January 20, 1995 2–1 @ New York Rangers (1994–95) 1–0–0 Recap
2 W January 22, 1995 5–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 2–0–0 Recap
3 W January 25, 1995 2–1 New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 3–0–0 Recap
4 L January 27, 1995 3–7 Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 3–1–0 Recap
5 T January 28, 1995 2–2 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 3–1–1 Recap
6 L January 31, 1995 1–2 @ New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 3–2–1 Recap
February: 4–5–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
7 W February 2, 1995 1–0 @ Washington Capitals (1994–95) 4–2–1 Recap
8 L February 4, 1995 2–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 4–3–1 Recap
9 W February 5, 1995 2–1 Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 5–3–1 Recap
10 W February 7, 1995 2–1 Washington Capitals (1994–95) 6–3–1 Recap
11 L February 11, 1995 1–2 @ New York Islanders (1994–95) 6–4–1 Recap
12 L February 12, 1995 1–2 Boston Bruins (1994–95) 6–5–1 Recap
13 L February 15, 1995 1–2 New York Rangers (1994–95) 6–6–1 Recap
14 T February 19, 1995 3–3 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 6–6–2 Recap
15 T February 22, 1995 3–3 OT New York Islanders (1994–95) 6–6–3 Recap
16 W February 25, 1995 3–1 @ Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 7–6–3 Recap
17 L February 26, 1995 2–4 New York Rangers (1994–95) 7–7–3 Recap
March: 7–5–2 (home: 6–2–0; road: 1–3–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
18 W March 2, 1995 6–3 Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 8–7–3 Recap
19 T March 4, 1995 1–1 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 8–7–4 Recap
20 W March 5, 1995 4–1 Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 9–7–4 Recap
21 T March 8, 1995 2–2 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 9–7–5 Recap
22 L March 11, 1995 2–6 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 9–8–5 Recap
23 W March 14, 1995 2–1 OT @ Florida Panthers (1994–95) 10–8–5 Recap
24 W March 16, 1995 6–3 New York Islanders (1994–95) 11–8–5 Recap
25 L March 18, 1995 3–4 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 11–9–5 Recap
26 L March 19, 1995 1–6 Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 11–10–5 Recap
27 L March 21, 1995 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 11–11–5 Recap
28 W March 24, 1995 3–0 Florida Panthers (1994–95) 12–11–5 Recap
29 L March 26, 1995 1–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 12–12–5 Recap
30 W March 28, 1995 5–3 Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 13–12–5 Recap
31 W March 30, 1995 7–0 Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 14–12–5 Recap
April: 6–7–2 (home: 4–2–0; road: 2–5–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
32 W April 1, 1995 5–1 @ New York Islanders (1994–95) 15–12–5 Recap
33 W April 4, 1995 6–3 Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 16–12–5 Recap
34 T April 6, 1995 1–1 OT @ Boston Bruins (1994–95) 16–12–6 Recap
35 L April 8, 1995 2–4 @ Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 16–13–6 Recap
36 L April 9, 1995 5–6 Boston Bruins (1994–95) 16–14–6 Recap
37 L April 12, 1995 1–3 @ New York Rangers (1994–95) 16–15–6 Recap
38 L April 14, 1995 2–5 @ Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 16–16–6 Recap
39 W April 16, 1995 2–1 Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 17–16–6 Recap
40 L April 18, 1995 1–2 Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 17–17–6 Recap
41 L April 19, 1995 1–4 @ Boston Bruins (1994–95) 17–18–6 Recap
42 W April 23, 1995 4–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 18–18–6 Recap
43 W April 24, 1995 3–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 19–18–6 Recap
44 W April 26, 1995 5–0 Florida Panthers (1994–95) 20–18–6 Recap
45 L April 28, 1995 1–5 @ Washington Capitals (1994–95) 20–19–6 Recap
46 T April 29, 1995 3–3 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 20–19–7 Recap
May: 2–0–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 0–0–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
47 W May 1, 1995 2–0 Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 21–19–7 Recap
48 W May 3, 1995 5–4 New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 22–19–7 Recap
Legend:

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

Playoffs

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1995 Stanley Cup playoffs[2]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–1
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 7, 1995 3–4 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 1–0 Recap
2 L May 8, 1995 1–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 2–0 Recap
3 W May 10, 1995 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 2–1 Recap
4 L May 12, 1995 2–4 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 3–1 Recap
5 L May 14, 1995 4–6 @ 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
89 Alexander Mogilny RW 44 19 28 47 0 36 5 3 2 5 −6 2
28 Donald Audette RW 46 24 13 37 −3 27 5 1 1 2 −2 4
16 Pat LaFontaine C 22 12 15 27 2 4 5 2 2 4 −2 2
13 Yuri Khmylev LW 48 8 17 25 8 14 5 0 1 1 −1 8
26 Derek Plante C 47 3 19 22 −4 12
8 Doug Bodger D 44 3 17 20 −3 47 5 0 4 4 1 0
18 Wayne Presley RW 46 14 5 19 5 41 5 3 1 4 3 8
10 Dale Hawerchuk C 23 5 11 16 −2 2 2 0 0 0 −1 0
14 Dave Hannan C 42 4 12 16 3 32 5 0 2 2 2 2
43 Jason Dawe RW 42 7 4 11 −6 19 5 2 1 3 −2 6
17[a] Craig Simpson LW 24 4 7 11 −5 26
42 Richard Smehlik D 39 4 7 11 5 46 5 0 0 0 −1 2
3 Garry Galley D 14 1 9 10 4 10 5 0 3 3 −3 4
20 Bob Sweeney C 45 5 4 9 −6 18 5 0 0 0 −1 4
44[b] Alexei Zhitnik D 21 2 5 7 −3 34 5 0 1 1 −7 14
27 Brad May LW 33 3 3 6 5 87 4 0 0 0 0 2
22 Charlie Huddy D 32 2 4 6 −1 36 3 0 0 0 1 0
5 Craig Muni D 40 0 6 6 −4 36 5 0 1 1 0 2
24 Philippe Boucher D 9 1 4 5 6 0
7 Petr Svoboda D 26 0 5 5 −5 60
33 Mark Astley D 14 2 1 3 −2 12 2 0 0 0 −2 0
29 Scott Pearson LW 14 2 1 3 −3 20 5 0 0 0 −1 4
6 Doug Houda D 28 1 2 3 1 68
41 Ken Sutton D 12 1 2 3 −2 30
19 Brian Holzinger C 4 0 3 3 2 0 4 2 1 3 −3 2
32 Rob Ray RW 47 0 3 3 −4 173 5 0 0 0 0 14
36 Matthew Barnaby RW 23 1 1 2 −2 116
37 Curtis Brown C 1 1 1 2 2 2
9 Viktor Gordiouk LW 10 0 2 2 −3 0
76 Wayne Primeau C 1 1 0 1 −2 0
12 Peter Ambroziak LW 12 0 1 1 −1 0
31 Grant Fuhr G 3 0 0 0 0
39 Dominik Hasek G 41 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0
44 Doug MacDonald LW 2 0 0 0 −1 0
3 Dean Melanson D 5 0 0 0 −1 4
35 Robb Stauber G 6 0 0 0 0
29 Denis Tsygurov D 4 0 0 0 −1 4

Goaltending

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  • † = 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 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 41 19 14 7 1221 85 2.11 .930 5 2416 5 1 4 131 18 3.50 .863 0 309
35 Robb Stauber 6 2 3 0 150 20 3.79 .867 0 317
31 Grant Fuhr 3 1 2 0 85 12 4.00 .859 0 180

Awards and records

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Awards

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Dominik Hasek was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Pat LaFontaine [6]
NHL First All-Star team Dominik Hasek (Goaltender) [7]
Vezina Trophy Dominik Hasek [8]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Dean Melanson February 19, 1995 [9]
Peter Ambroziak March 4, 1995
Brian Holzinger April 16, 1995
Curtis Brown May 3, 1995
Wayne Primeau
400th goal Pat LaFontaine April 14, 1995 [10]

Draft picks

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Buffalo's draft picks at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft in Hartford, Connecticut.[11]

Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team
1 17 Wayne Primeau (C)  Canada Owen Sound Platers (OHL)
2 43 Curtis Brown (LW)  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
3 69 Rumun Ndur (D)  Canada Guelph Storm (OHL)
5 121 Sergei Klimentiev (D)  Ukraine Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
6 147 Cal Benazic (D)  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
7 168 Steve Plouffe (G)  Canada Granby Bisons (QMJHL)
7 173 Shane Hnidy (D)  Canada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
7 176 Steve Webb (RW)  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)
8 199 Bob Westerby (LW)  Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
9 225 Craig Millar (D)  Canada Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
10 251 Mark Polak (C)  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
11 277 Shayne Wright (D)  Canada Owen Sound Platers (OHL)

Notes

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  1. ^ Simpson wore number 22 until Huddy was acquired.
  2. ^ Zhitnik wore number 4 in his first ten games.

References

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  • "Buffalo Sabres 1994-95 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  • "1994-95 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  1. ^ "1994-95 NHL Summary". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "1994-95 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hartford Whalers at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — April 4, 1995".
  4. ^ Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  5. ^ "1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  6. ^ "Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "Vezina Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "1994-95 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "1983 NHL Entry Draft -- Pat LaFontaine". www.hockeydraftcentral.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023. Scored his 400th career NHL goal for Buffalo on April 14, 1995, at Quebec.
  11. ^ 1994 NHL Entry Draft HockeyDB.com