1974–75 Buffalo Sabres season



The 1974–75 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 5th season in the National Hockey League. After a subpar year in 1974 that saw them miss the playoffs, the Sabres finished in a tie for the best record in the NHL in the 1974–75 regular season. They advanced to the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in team history and lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 4 games to 2.

Regular Season
On October 10, 1974, Danny Gare scored a goal 18 seconds into the first game of his career.

Philadelphia Flyers 4, Buffalo Sabres 2
Due to unusual heat in Buffalo in May 1975, portions of the game were played in heavy fog. Players, officials, and the puck were invisible to many spectators. During a face-off and through the fog, Sabres center Jim Lorentz spotted a bat flying across the rink, raised his stick, and killed it. Many superstitious Buffalo fans considered this to be an "Evil Omen," pertaining to the result of the series. It was the only time that any player killed an animal during an NHL game. The Sabres won that game thanks to Rene Robert's goal in overtime. However, Philadelphia would wind up taking the Cup Final to six games, winning the series 4 games to 2.

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

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

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

Awards and Records

 * Prince of Wales Trophy: Buffalo Sabres
 * Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Don Luce
 * Rick Martin, Left Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
 * Rene Robert, Right Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
 * Club Record, Most Goals For (354)