The 2003–04

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pol ...

was the 34th season of operation for the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. The Sabres failed to qualify for the

playoffs The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...

for the third consecutive season.

Regular season

On March 17, 2004, Derek Roy scored just 15 seconds into the overtime period to give the Sabres a 4–3 road win over the

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 seaso ...

. Roy tied the Blackhawks' Mark Bell, who had also scored 15 seconds into the overtime period in Chicago's 4–3 home win over the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

on December 11, 2003. Both goals would end up being the fastest overtime goals scored during the 2003-04 NHL regular season.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1, , L, , October 9, 2003, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–1–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2, , L, , October 11, 2003, , 0–6 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–2–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 3, , W, , October 13, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left", Dallas Stars ( 2003–04) , , 1–2–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 4, , L, , October 16, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

( 2003–04) , , 1–3–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5, , W, , October 18, 2003, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

( 2003–04) , , 2–3–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 6, , L, , October 20, 2003, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

( 2003–04) , , 2–4–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 7, , W, , October 23, 2003, , 5–1 , , align="left", @ Los Angeles Kings ( 2003–04) , , 3–4–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 8, , W, , October 24, 2003, , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ( 2003–04) , , 4–4–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 9, , W, , October 26, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Avalanche play thei ...

( 2003–04) , , 5–4–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 10, , L, , October 28, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left",

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play their home games at the Xcel Ener ...

( 2003–04) , , 5–5–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 11, , W, , October 30, 2003, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

( 2003–04) , , 6–5–0–0 , , , - , - align="center" , 12, , T, , November 1, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

( 2003–04) , , 6–5–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 13, , L, , November 5, 2003, , 4–7 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 6–6–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 14, , W, , November 7, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

( 2003–04) , , 7–6–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 15, , L, , November 8, 2003, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–1–0 , , , - align="center" , 16, , T, , November 12, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–2–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 17, , OTL, , November 14, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 18, , W, , November 17, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 8–7–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 19, , L, , November 19, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 8–8–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 20, , W, , November 21, 2003, , 5–0 , , align="left",

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

( 2003–04) , , 9–8–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 21, , L, , November 22, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...

( 2003–04) , , 9–9–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 22, , L, , November 24, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

( 2003–04) , , 9–10–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 23, , W, , November 26, 2003, , 5–2 , , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL) ...

( 2003–04) , , 10–10–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 24, , W, , November 28, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 11–10–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 25, , L, , November 29, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...

( 2003–04) , , 11–11–2–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 26, , W, , December 3, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

( 2003–04) , , 12–11–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 27, , L, , December 4, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

( 2003–04) , , 12–12–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 28, , L, , December 6, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 12–13–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 29, , L, , December 10, 2003, , 2–7 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 12–14–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 30, , L, , December 12, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

( 2003–04) , , 12–15–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 31, , L, , December 13, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 12–16–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 32, , L, , December 16, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 12–17–2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 33, , L, , December 19, 2003, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 12–18–2–1 , , , - align="center" , 34, , T, , December 23, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 12–18–3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 35, , W, , December 26, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 13–18–3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 36, , W, , December 27, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 14–18–3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 37, , L, , December 29, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 14–19–3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 38, , W, , December 31, 2003, , 7–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 15–19–3–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 39, , W, , January 2, 2004, , 5–2 , , align="left", Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ( 2003–04) , , 16–19–3–1 , , , - align="center" , 40, , T, , January 3, 2004, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 16–19–4–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 41, , L, , January 6, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 16–20–4–1 , , , - align="center" , 42, , T, , January 7, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 16–20–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 43, , W, , January 9, 2004, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 17–20–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 44, , L, , January 12, 2004, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

( 2003–04) , , 17–21–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 45, , W, , January 13, 2004, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 18–21–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 46, , L, , January 15, 2004, , 0–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 18–22–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 47, , L, , January 17, 2004, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 18–23–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 48, , L, , January 20, 2004, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 18–24–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 49, , W, , January 22, 2004, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 19–24–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 50, , L, , January 24, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 19–25–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 51, , W, , January 25, 2004, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 20–25–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 52, , W, , January 27, 2004, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 21–25–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 53, , W, , January 30, 2004, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 22–25–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 54, , W, , January 31, 2004, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 23–25–5–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 55, , L, , February 5, 2004, , 2–6 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 23–26–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 56, , W, , February 10, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

( 2003–04) , , 24–26–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 57, , W, , February 13, 2004, , 8–3 , , align="left", Los Angeles Kings ( 2003–04) , , 25–26–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 58, , W, , February 14, 2004, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 26–26–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 59, , W, , February 16, 2004, , 7–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 27–26–5–1 , , , - align="center" , 60, , T, , February 18, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 27–26–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 61, , W, , February 20, 2004, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 28–26–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 62, , L, , February 21, 2004, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–27–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 63, , L, , February 25, 2004, , 2–8 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–28–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 64, , L, , February 27, 2004, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 28–29–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 65, , L, , February 28, 2004, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–30–6–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 66, , W, , March 3, 2004, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 29–30–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 67, , W, , March 6, 2004, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 30–30–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 68, , L, , March 7, 2004, , 1–5 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues ( 2003–04) , , 30–31–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 69, , W, , March 10, 2004, , 6–0 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 31–31–6–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 70, , OTL, , March 11, 2004, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 31–31–6–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 71, , OTL, , March 13, 2004, , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 31–31–6–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 72, , OTL, , March 15, 2004, , 5–6 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 31–31–6–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 73, , W, , March 17, 2004, , 4–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 32–31–6–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 74, , L, , March 18, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 32–32–6–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 75, , W, , March 20, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 33–32–6–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 76, , W, , March 24, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 34–32–6–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 77, , W, , March 26, 2004, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 35–32–6–4 , , , - align="center" , 78, , T, , March 27, 2004, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 35–32–7–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 79, , W, , March 29, 2004, , 6–0 , , align="left",

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

( 2003–04) , , 36–32–7–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 80, , W, , March 31, 2004, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 37–32–7–4 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 81, , L, , April 2, 2004, , 0–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 37–33–7–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 82, , L, , April 3, 2004, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 37–34–7–4 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

; LW =

Left Wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

; 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.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated the ...

, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the

2004 Stanley Cup Finals The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2003–04 season, and the culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Western C ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the

2003 NHL Entry Draft The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was the 41st NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21 and 22, 2003. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was ...

held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2003-04 Buffalo Sabres season

Buff Buff or BUFF may refer to: People * Buff (surname), a list of people * Buff (nickname), a list of people * Johnny Buff, ring name of American world champion boxer John Lisky (1888–1955) * Buff Bagwell, a ring name of American professional wr ...

Buffalo Sabres seasons Buffalo Buffalo