1996–97_Buffalo_Sabres_season

1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team 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.

Quick Facts Buffalo Sabres, Division ...

1996–97 Buffalo Sabres
Northeast Division champions
Division	1st Northeast
Conference	2nd Eastern
1996–97 record	40–30–12
Home record	24–11–6
Road record	16–19–6
Goals for	237
Goals against	208
Team information
General manager	John Muckler
Coach	Ted Nolan
Captain	Pat LaFontaine
Arena	Marine Midland Arena
Average attendance	16,911
Minor league affiliate(s)	Rochester Americans South Carolina Stingrays
Team leaders
Goals	Donald Audette (28)
Assists	Garry Galley (34)
Points	Derek Plante (53)
Penalty minutes	Rob Ray (286)
Plus/minus	Michael Peca (+26)
Wins	Dominik Hasek (37)
Goals against average	Dominik Hasek (2.27)
← 1995–96 1997–98 →

Off-season

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Regular season

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

More information No., CR ...

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

More information R, Div ...

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

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Result ...

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

More information 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...

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

Scoring

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.

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

			Regular season						Playoffs
No.	Player	Pos	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^{[lower-alpha 1]}	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^{[lower-alpha 2]}	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

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

		Regular season										Playoffs
No.	Player	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

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...

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]
	Lester Patrick Trophy	Pat LaFontaine	^[12]
	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]

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.^[16]

More information Round, # ...

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

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

References

"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".
[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]
"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]
"NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1997". www.nhl.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
[16]
"1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.

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