| 1974–75 Buffalo Sabres | |
| Division | 1st Adams |
|---|---|
| Conference | 1st Prince of Wales |
| 1974–75 record | 49–16–15 |
| Goals for | 354 |
| Goals against | 240 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Punch Imlach |
| Coach | Floyd Smith |
| Captain | Jim Schoenfeld |
| Arena | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Rene Robert (40) |
| Assists | Gilbert Perreault (57) |
| Points | Rene Robert (100) |
| Penalty minutes | Jerry Korab Jim Schoenfeld (184) |
| Wins | Gary Bromley (26) |
| Goals against average | Roger Crozier (2.62) |
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.
Off-season[]
Draft Picks[]
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Lee Fogolin (D) |  United States
|
Oshawa Generals (OHA) |
Regular Season[]
On October 10, 1974, Danny Gare scored a goal 18 seconds into the first game of his career. [1]
Final Standings[]
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 49 | 16 | 15 | 354 | 240 | 113 |
| Boston Bruins | 80 | 40 | 26 | 14 | 345 | 245 | 94 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 31 | 33 | 16 | 280 | 309 | 78 |
| California Golden Seals | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 212 | 316 | 51 |
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Game Log[]
| Regular Season Results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 2 | L | October 12, 1974 | 1–6 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) | 1–1–0 |
| 6 | T | October 20, 1974 | 5–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 3–2–1 |
| 7 | L | October 24, 1974 | 2–7 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) | 3–3–1 |
| 8 | W | October 26, 1974 | 2–0 | @ St. Louis Blues (1974–75) | 4–3–1 |
| 9 | W | October 27, 1974 | 3–2 | Montreal Canadiens (1974–75) | 5–3–1 |
| 10 | W | November 2, 1974 | 6–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 6–3–1 |
| 11 | W | November 3, 1974 | 4–3 | @ New York Rangers (1974–75) | 7–3–1 |
| 12 | T | November 5, 1974 | 2–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1974–75) | 7–3–2 |
| 13 | W | November 6, 1974 | 6–4 | Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) | 8–3–2 |
| 14 | W | November 9, 1974 | 6–1 | @ Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) | 9–3–2 |
| 15 | W | November 10, 1974 | 8–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) | 10–3–2 |
| 16 | W | November 13, 1974 | 8–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1974–75) | 11–3–2 |
| 17 | W | November 14, 1974 | 5–3 | Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) | 12–3–2 |
| 18 | L | November 16, 1974 | 5–7 | @ Boston Bruins (1974–75) | 12–4–2 |
| 19 | W | November 17, 1974 | 4–0 | Atlanta Flames (1974–75) | 13–4–2 |
| 20 | W | November 20, 1974 | 7–3 | Washington Capitals (1974–75) | 14–4–2 |
| 21 | T | November 22, 1974 | 4–4 | @ Atlanta Flames (1974–75) | 14–4–3 |
| 22 | W | November 24, 1974 | 6–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1974–75) | 15–4–3 |
| 23 | W | November 27, 1974 | 3–1 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) | 16–4–3 |
| 24 | W | November 28, 1974 | 5–2 | Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) | 17–4–3 |
| 25 | T | November 30, 1974 | 5–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) | 17–4–4 |
| 26 | W | December 1, 1974 | 6–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) | 18–4–4 |
| 27 | W | December 3, 1974 | 5–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1974–75) | 19–4–4 |
| 28 | W | December 5, 1974 | 9–2 | Washington Capitals (1974–75) | 20–4–4 |
| 29 | W | December 8, 1974 | 5–0 | Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) | 21–4–4 |
| 30 | L | December 12, 1974 | 3–5 | Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) | 21–5–4 |
| 31 | L | December 14, 1974 | 2–4 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) | 21–6–4 |
| 32 | T | December 15, 1974 | 5–5 | California Golden Seals (1974–75) | 21–6–5 |
| 33 | W | December 18, 1974 | 3–2 | New York Islanders (1974–75) | 22–6–5 |
| 34 | W | December 22, 1974 | 4–0 | @ Washington Capitals (1974–75) | 23–6–5 |
| 35 | W | December 26, 1974 | 3–1 | Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) | 24–6–5 |
| 36 | L | December 27, 1974 | 5–9 | @ New York Rangers (1974–75) | 24–7–5 |
| 37 | L | December 29, 1974 | 2–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) | 24–8–5 |
| 38 | T | January 3, 1975 | 2–2 | @ California Golden Seals (1974–75) | 24–8–6 |
| 39 | W | January 5, 1975 | 4–2 | St. Louis Blues (1974–75) | 25–8–6 |
| 40 | L | January 9, 1975 | 2–5 | Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) | 25–9–6 |
| 41 | T | January 11, 1975 | 3–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) | 25–9–7 |
| 42 | W | January 12, 1975 | 5–1 | Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) | 26–9–7 |
| 43 | W | January 15, 1975 | 4–0 | @ California Golden Seals (1974–75) | 27–9–7 |
| 44 | W | January 17, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) | 28–9–7 |
| 45 | W | January 19, 1975 | 5–0 | Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) | 29–9–7 |
| 46 | W | January 23, 1975 | 5–1 | Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) | 30–9–7 |
| 47 | W | January 25, 1975 | 7–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1974–75) | 31–9–7 |
| 48 | L | January 26, 1975 | 3–4 | Atlanta Flames (1974–75) | 31–10–7 |
| 49 | W | January 30, 1975 | 6–3 | New York Rangers (1974–75) | 32–10–7 |
| 50 | L | February 1, 1975 | 0–6 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) | 32–11–7 |
| 51 | W | February 2, 1975 | 8–1 | Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) | 33–11–7 |
| 52 | W | February 4, 1975 | 6–1 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) | 34–11–7 |
| 53 | T | February 6, 1975 | 2–2 | @ New York Islanders (1974–75) | 34–11–8 |
| 54 | T | February 9, 1975 | 4–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1974–75) | 34–11–9 |
| 55 | T | February 12, 1975 | 3–3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) | 34–11–10 |
| 56 | W | February 13, 1975 | 3–1 | Boston Bruins (1974–75) | 35–11–10 |
| 57 | T | February 16, 1975 | 4–4 | St. Louis Blues (1974–75) | 35–11–11 |
| 58 | W | February 18, 1975 | 3–2 | @ New York Islanders (1974–75) | 36–11–11 |
| 59 | T | February 20, 1975 | 6–6 | Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) | 36–11–12 |
| 60 | W | February 21, 1975 | 9–4 | @ Washington Capitals (1974–75) | 37–11–12 |
| 61 | W | February 23, 1975 | 4–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 38–11–12 |
| 62 | W | February 27, 1975 | 5–0 | Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) | 39–11–12 |
| 63 | L | March 1, 1975 | 2–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) | 39–12–12 |
| 64 | T | March 2, 1975 | 3–3 | New York Islanders (1974–75) | 39–12–13 |
| 65 | W | March 5, 1975 | 6–3 | @ New York Rangers (1974–75) | 40–12–13 |
| 66 | T | March 8, 1975 | 3–3 | @ St. Louis Blues (1974–75) | 40–12–14 |
| 67 | W | March 9, 1975 | 8–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) | 41–12–14 |
| 68 | T | March 11, 1975 | 2–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) | 41–12–15 |
| 69 | W | March 12, 1975 | 7–2 | @ California Golden Seals (1974–75) | 42–12–15 |
| 70 | L | March 14, 1975 | 1–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) | 42–13–15 |
| 71 | W | March 16, 1975 | 11–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 43–13–15 |
| 72 | W | March 20, 1975 | 6–3 | New York Rangers (1974–75) | 44–13–15 |
| 73 | W | March 22, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) | 45–13–15 |
| 74 | W | March 23, 1975 | 9–4 | California Golden Seals (1974–75) | 46–13–15 |
| 75 | L | March 26, 1975 | 1–5 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) | 46–14–15 |
| 76 | L | March 28, 1975 | 2–3 | @ Atlanta Flames (1974–75) | 46–15–15 |
| 77 | L | March 30, 1975 | 4–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 46–16–15 |
| 78 | W | April 1, 1975 | 3–1 | @ Boston Bruins (1974–75) | 47–16–15 |
| 79 | W | April 3, 1975 | 4–2 | Boston Bruins (1974–75) | 48–16–15 |
| 80 | W | April 5, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) | 49–16–15 |
Playoffs[]
Buffalo Sabres 4, Chicago Black Hawks 1[]
Buffalo Sabres 4, Montreal Canadiens 2[]
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.
| Date | Visitors | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15 | Buffalo | 1 | Philadelphia | 4 | |
| May 18 | Buffalo | 1 | Philadelphia | 2 | |
| May 20 | Philadelphia | 4 | Buffalo | 5 | OT |
| May 22 | Philadelphia | 2 | Buffalo | 4 | |
| May 25 | Buffalo | 1 | Philadelphia | 5 | |
| May 27 | Philadelphia | 2 | Buffalo | 0 |
Player Stats[]
Forwards[]
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Defencemen[]
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goaltending[]
Note: GP = Games played; W= Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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)
References[]
- ↑ National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p.187, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5
| Buffalo Sabres Seasons |
|---|
| 1970–71 • 1971–72 • 1972–73 • 1973–74 • 1974–75 • 1975–76 • 1976–77 • 1977–78 • 1978–79 • 1979–80 • 1980–81 • 1981–82 • 1982–83 • 1983–84 • 1984–85 • 1985–86 • 1986–87 • 1987–88 • 1988–89 • 1989–90 • 1990–91 • 1991–92 • 1992–93 • 1993–94 • 1994–95 • 1995–96 • 1996–97 • 1997–98 • 1998–99 • 1999–00 • 2000–01 • 2001–02 • 2002–03 • 2003–04 • 2004–05 • 2005–06 • 2006–07 • 2007–08 • 2008–09 • 2009–10 • 2010–11 • 2011–12 • 2012–13 • 2013–14 • 2014–15 • 2015–16 • 2016–17 • 2017–18 • 2018–19 • 2019–20 • 2020–21 |
| Buffalo Sabres | |
|---|---|
| Sabres | Franchise • Expansion Draft • Players • Coaches • GMs • Seasons • Broadcasters • Records • Draft Picks |
| Culture/Lore | "The French Connection" • Ted Darling • Rick Jeanneret • The Fog Game • No Goal • 2008 NHL Winter Classic • 2011 NHL Premiere • Taro Tsujimoto |
| Arenas | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium • KeyBank Center |
| Affiliates | Rochester Americans (AHL) • Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) |
| Owners | S. Knox and N. Knox • Rigas • Golisano and Quinn • Pegula |
| Other | Radio Network • Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team • Buffalo Jr. Sabres |
| 1974–75 NHL season by team | |
|---|---|
| Patrick | Atlanta • NY Islanders • NY Rangers • Philadelphia |
| Adams | Boston • Buffalo • California • Toronto |
| Norris | Detroit • Los Angeles • Montreal • Pittsburgh • Washington |
| Smythe | Chicago • Kansas City • Minnesota • St. Louis • Vancouver |
| See also | 1974 NHL Amateur Draft • All-Star Game • 1975 Stanley Cup Finals |
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