1988–89 Buffalo Sabres season



The 1988–89 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 19th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres finished 3rd in the Adams Division and lost in the Division Semi-finals to the Boston Bruins 4 games to 1.

Clint Malarchuk Incident
On March 22, 1989, a horrific incident occurred during a game between the Sabres and the St. Louis Blues at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, when Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk had his jugular vein severed by the skate blade of the Blues' Steve Tuttle during a goal mouth collision. According to reports, eleven fans in the stands fainted, two more had heart attacks, and three players vomited on the ice. The Sabres' training staff was immediately on the scene, and Malarchuk eventually needed 300 stitches to close the wound. Astonishingly, he spent only one night in hospital before returning to practice four days later.

Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Awards and Records

 * The Sabres did not win any awards this season.