The 2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season was the

42nd 4 (four) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 3 and preceding 5. It is the smallest semiprime and composite number, and is considered unlucky in many East Asian cultures. In mathematics Four is the smallest c ...

season of operation (41st season of play) 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. Their season began October 7, 2011 against the

Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division, and play their home games at Honda Center. ...

Helsinki Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the Capital city, capital, primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Finland, most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of U ...

, where the team named

Jason Pominville Jason John Pominville (born November 30, 1982) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played for the Buffalo Sabres and the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing career Amateur As a youth, Po ...

the 13th full-time captain in team history. Pominville filled the vacancy left by

Craig Rivet Anthony Craig Rivet (; born September 13, 1974) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons in the NHL, including 12 with the Montreal Canadiens. He later played for the San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, and Colum ...

, who was claimed via waivers by the

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, ...

during the previous season.

Off-season

The Sabres signed several free agents. This was due to the new ownership giving permission to the managing staff to bid for free agents. The previous ownership allowed free agents to leave rather than pay for free agent contracts. The Sabres home also underwent a makeover. The interior of the arena was painted Sabres colors, blue and gold. The players locker rooms also received an extensive multimillion-dollar upgrade. The naming rights were transferred from

HSBC HSBC Holdings plc is a British multinational universal bank and financial services holding company. It is the largest bank in Europe by total assets ahead of BNP Paribas, with US$2.953 trillion as of December 2021. In 2021, HSBC had $10.8 tri ...

First Niagara Bank First Niagara Bank was a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured regional banking corporation headquartered in Buffalo, New York. Its parent company, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. was the 44th-largest bank in the United States with a ...

and the arena took on the name

First Niagara Center KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York. Originally known as Marine Midland Arena, the venue has since been named HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center. Home to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League ...

Regular season

The Sabres participated in the

2011 NHL Premiere The 2011 NHL Premiere was the National Hockey League's fifth European multi-game event to open the regular season, featuring the Anaheim Ducks, the Buffalo Sabres, the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers. It took place on October 7–8, 2011 ...

, playing their first two regular season games in Europe. After a 2–0 start in Europe, the Sabres returned home and continued to play well. They had a record of 10–5 going into a November 12 game against the

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 ...

, where, in the first period,

Ryan Miller Ryan Dean Miller (born July 17, 1980) is an American former ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) mostly for the Buffalo Sabres. Miller was drafted 138th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999 NHL E ...

left his crease to play a puck and was hit by the Bruins'

Milan Lucic Milan Lucic (; born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played major junior hockey with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for three seas ...

. Miller suffered a concussion and neck injury on the hit and would go on to miss nine games; his first game back he took another blow near the head area, this time via Nashville Predators player Jordin Tootoo. Lucic was penalized for charging on the play but was not suspended or fined by the League. During the middle part of the season, injuries plagued the team. By the All-Star break the Sabres sat in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and had 225-man-games lost to injury.

was the only Sabre named to the All-Star Game roster.

Luke Adam Luke Adam (born June 18, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, ...

was one of 12 rookies selected to participate in the All-Star Skills Competition. During the 33 game stretch from the Bruins game (November 12) to January 24, the Sabres had a record of 9–19–5. The poor play included a team record 12-game road losing streak and a run of five consecutive regulation loses on a single road trip. Things then began to turn around with a shootout win at the

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 ...

on January 24, the final game before the All-Star break. The Sabres then went on an 18–5–5 run, going from 14th in the Eastern Conference back into the eighth and final playoff position on March 24 with a 3–1 win at home against the

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 ...

. On March 27, the Sabres faced the

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) ...

for a pivotal game for the final playoff position. The teams entered the game tied at 84 points, with the Capitals holding the tie breaker advantage. The Sabres won the game by a convincing 5–1 score. In the second period of the game, the Sabres were ahead 3–1 and down injuries to two defensemen.

Christian Ehrhoff Christian Ehrhoff (born 6 July 1982) is a German former professional ice hockey defenceman. In 2018, he won silver at the Winter Olympics. He played more than 800 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) and more than 300 in the Deutsche Eishoc ...

and

Andrej Sekera Andrej Sekera (born 8 June 1986) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born and rai ...

were both injured in the period and the Capitals were going on the power play when

Robyn Regehr Robyn Regehr (born April 19, 1980) is a Brazilian-born Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was a first round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, selected 19th overall at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, but was traded to the Calgary ...

took a hooking penalty. The penalty left the Sabres with only three available defensemen. On the ensuing power play,

Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin ( rus, Александр Михайлович Овечкин, p=ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals ...

bobbled a pass at the blue line, where Jason Pominville took the puck and scored a short-handed goal to put the Sabres up 4–1. Ryan Miller made 44 saves, improving to a personal record of 8–0–2 in his last ten games and 14–1–3 in 18 games. The win put Buffalo in sole possession of the eighth playoff spot and even in games with Washington. The Sabres' position in eighth place was short lived, however, due to two consecutive regulation losses, first at home to

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

and then at

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

. At home on the back end of the home and home with Toronto, the Sabres fell behind 3–0 in the first period and 5–3 in the third. The Sabres then rallied to score two goals in the final five minutes of the third to tie the game at five. In overtime,

Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf (born 10 April 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted ninth overal ...

took a delay of game penalty, where

Derek Roy Derek Leonard Roy (born May 4, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and the Edmont ...

ended the game on the ensuing power play with his second goal of the game. The win pulled Buffalo even in points with Washington at 88. Washington still held the tie breaker advantage, with each team having two games left to play. The Sabres would go on to pick up only one point in their final two games, ultimately failing to make the playoffs. On April 3, 2012, following their final regular season home game, the Sabres announced a new record for average paid attendance of 18,272 per home game.

Playoffs

The Sabres attempted to qualify for the playoffs. The attempt fell three points short and the Sabres finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 , , September 19 , ,

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, ...

, , 1–3 , , Buffalo Sabres , , , , Enroth , , 1–0–0 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 , , September 21 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 3–1 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Miller , , 2–0–0 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 , , September 23 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2–1 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Miller , , 3–0–0 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 , , September 24 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 2–3 , , Buffalo Sabres , , , , Enroth , , 4–0–0 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 5 , , September 25 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 1–4 , ,

, , , , Miller , , 4–1–0 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 6 , , September 30 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 4–5 , ,

, , SO , , Miller, , 4–1–1 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc" , 7 , , October 4 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 8–3 , ,

Adler Mannheim The Adler Mannheim (English: ''Mannheim Eagles'', formerly Mannheimer ERC) is a professional ice hockey team of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the highest-level ice hockey league in Germany. The team is based in Mannheim, a city in the northern pa ...

, , , , Enroth , , 5–1–1 ,

, -

Regular season

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 , , 7 , ,

, , 4–

, , Miller , , Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland/13,349 , , 1–0–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 , , 8 , , @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

, , 4–

, , Miller , , Berlin, Berlin, Germany/14,300 , , 2–0–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 3 , , 14 , ,

, , 4–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 2–1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 , , 15 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–

, , Enroth , , , Consol Energy Center/18,562 , , 3–1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 5 , , 18 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , Bell Centre/21,273 , , 4–1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 6 , , 20 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–

, , Miller , , Bank Atlantic Center/14,811 , , 5–1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 7 , , 22 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–

, , Miller , , St. Pete Times Forum/19,204 , , 5–2–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 8 , , 25 , ,

, , 4–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 5–3–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 9 , , 27 , ,

, , 4–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 6–3–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 10 , , 29 , ,

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 6–4–0 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 11 , , 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,299 , , 6–5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 12 , , 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 7–5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 13 , , 5 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–2 (SO

, , Enroth , , Scotiabank Place/18,805 , , 8–5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 14 , , 8 , ,

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and is owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, pl ...

, , 6–5 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 9–5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 15 , , 11 , ,

, , 5–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 10–5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 16 , , 12 , , @

, , 6–

, , Miller , , TD Garden/17,565 , , 10–6–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 17 , , 14 , , @

, , 3–2 (SO

, , Enroth , , Bell Centre , , 11–6–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 18 , , 16 , ,

, , 5–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 11–7–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 19 , , 18 , , @

, , 1–

, , Enroth , , RBC Center/15,072 , , 12–7–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 20 , , 19 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 12–8–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 21 , , 23 , ,

, , 4–3 (SO

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 12–8–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 22 , , 25 , , @

, , 5–

, , Enroth , , Nationwide Arena/16,705 , , 12–9–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 23 , , 26 , ,

, , 5–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 13–9–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 24 , , 29 , ,

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 ( ...

, , 2–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 13–10–1 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 25 , , 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 13–11–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 26 , , 3 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–

, , Miller , , Bridgestone Arena/17,113 , , 14–11–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 27 , , 7 , ,

, , 5–4 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 14–11–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 28 , , 9 , ,

, , 2–1 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 15–11–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 29 , , 10 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 15–12–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 30 , , 13 , ,

, , 3–2 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 15–12–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 31 , , 16 , ,

, , 5–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 16–12–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 32 , , 17 , , @

, , 8–

, , Enroth , , , Consol Energy Center/18,584 , , 16–13–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 33 , , 20 , , @

, , 4–

, , Miller , , Scotiabank Place/18,474 , , 16–14–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 34 , , 22 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , Air Canada Centre/19,473 , , 16–15–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 35 , , 26 , ,

, , 4–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 17–15–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 36 , , 28 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , , Prudential Center/17,625 , , 17–16–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 37 , , 30 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , , Verizon Center/18,506 , , 17–17–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 38 , , 31 , ,

, , 3–2 (SO

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 17–17–4 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 39 , , 3 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 18–17–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 40 , , 6 , , @

, , 4–

, , Miller , , RBC Center/16,095, , 18–18–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 41 , , 7 , ,

, , 2–1 (OT

, , Enroth , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 18–18–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 42 , , 10 , , @

, , 2–

, , Miller , , Air Canada Centre/19,431 , , 18–19–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 43 , , 13 , ,

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 19–19–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 44 , , 14 , , @

, , 4–

, , Enroth , , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/13,848 , , 19–20–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 45 , , 16 , , @

, , 5–

, , Miller , , Joe Louis Arena/20,066 , , 19–21–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 46 , , 18 , , @

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 ...

, , 6–

, , Enroth , , United Center/21,114 , , 19–22–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 47 , , 19 , , @

, , 4–

, , Miller , , MTS Centre/15,004 , , 19–23–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 48 , , 21 , , @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...

, , 4–

, , Miller , , Scottrade Center/19,150 , , 19–24–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 49 , , 24 , , @

, , 2–1 (SO

, , Miller , , Prudential Center/13,735 , , 20–24–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 50 , , 31 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , Bell Centre/21,273 , , 21–24–5 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 51 , , 1 , ,

, , 1–0 (SO

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 21–24–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 52 , , 4 , , @

, , 4–3 (SO

, , Miller , , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/14,618 , , 22–24–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 53 , , 8 , ,

, , 6–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 23–24–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 54 , , 10 , ,

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...

, , 3–2 (SO

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 24–24–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 55 , , 11 , ,

, , 2–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 24–25–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 56 , , 14 , ,

, , 4–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 24–26–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 57 , , 16 , , @

, , 7–

, , Enroth , , Wells Fargo Center/19,725 , , 24–27–6 , - align="center" , 58 , , 17 , ,

, , 4–3 (SO

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 24–27–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 59 , , 19 , ,

, , 6–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 25–27–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 60 , , 21 , ,

, , 2–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 26–27–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 61 , , 24 , ,

, , 2–1 (SO

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 27–27–7 , - align="center" , 62 , , 25 , , @

, , 3–2 (OT

, , Miller , , Madison Square Garden/18,200 , , 27–27–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 63 , , 29 , , @

, , 2–

, , Miller , , Honda Center/14,972 , , 28–27–8 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 64 , , 1 , , @

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 ...

, , 1–

, , Miller , , HP Pavilion/17,562 , , 29–27–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 65 , , 3 , , @

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 ...

, , 5–

, , Miller , , Rogers Arena/18,890 , , 30–27–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 66 , , 5 , , @

, , 1–

, , Miller , , MTS Centre/15,004 , , 30–28–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 67 , , 7 , ,

, , 3–2 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 31–28–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 68 , , 8 , , @

, , 3–

, , Enroth , , TD Garden/17,565 , , 31–29–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 69 , , 10 , , @

, , 4–3 (SO

, , Miller , , Scotiabank Place/19,951 , , 32–29–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 70 , , 12 , ,

, , 3–2 (OT

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 33–29–8 , - align="center" , 71 , , 14 , ,

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 ...

, , 5–4 (SO

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 33–29–9 , - align="center" , 72 , , 17 , , @

, , 3–2 (SO

, , Miller , , BankAtlantic Center/16,827 , , 33–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 73 , , 19 , , @

, , 7–

, , Miller , , St. Pete Times Forum/17,212 , , 34–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 74 , , 21 , ,

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 35–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 75 , , 23 , , @

, , 4–

, , Miller , , Madison Square Garden/18,200 , , 36–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 76 , , 24 , ,

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 37–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 77 , , 27 , , @

, , 5–

, , Miller , , , Verizon Center/18,506, , 38–29–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 78 , , 30 , ,

, , 3–

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 38–30–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 79 , , 31 , , @

, , 3–

, , Miller , , , Air Canada Centre/19,446 , , 38–31–10 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 80 , , 3 , ,

, , 6–5 O

, , Miller , , First Niagara Center/18,690 , , 39–31–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" , 81 , , 5 , , @

, , 1–

, , Miller , , Wells Fargo Center/19,873 , , 39–32–10 , - align="center" , 82 , , 7 , , @

, , 3–4 S

, , Enroth , , TD Garden/17,565 , , 39–32–11 , - , -
2011–2012 Schedule

Player statistics

Skaters

Goaltenders

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Sabres. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.
^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.

Awards and records

Awards

Records

On October 25, 2011,

Brad Boyes Bradley Keith Boyes (born April 17, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who spent thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of seven different teams. Early life Boyes went to Hazel McCallion Senior P ...

played in his 500th consecutive NHL game, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to reach that mark. This streak ended at 513 when he was injured in the November 23 game.

Milestones

Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:

Trades

Free agents signed

Free agents lost

Claimed via waivers

Lost via waivers

Lost via retirement

Player signings

Draft picks

Buffalo's picks at the

2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hoste ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2011-12 Buffalo Sabres season Buffalo Sabres seasons

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 ...

Buffalo Buffalo

Off-season

Regular season

Playoffs

Standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Regular season

Player statistics

Skaters

Goaltenders

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents signed

Free agents lost

Claimed via waivers

Lost via waivers

Lost via retirement

Player signings

Draft picks

See also

References