The 2000–01

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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

season was the 31st

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 axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

for the team in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). The Sabres finished with a 46–30–5–1 record in the

regular season In an organized sports league, a typical season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session: for example, in Major League Baseball the season lasts approximately from the last week of March to the last week of S ...

, and won the Conference Quarterfinals (4–2) over the

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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

, but lost the Conference Semifinals (4–3) to the

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

. It was also the final time they made the playoffs before the

2004–05 NHL lockout The 2004–05 NHL lockout was a labor lockout that resulted in the cancellation of the National Hockey League (NHL) season, which would have been its 88th season of play. The main dispute was the league's desire to implement a salary cap to ...

Off-season

Regular season

The Sabres allowed the fewest goals (184), had the most shutouts (13), allowed the fewest power-play goals (40) and had the best penalty-kill percentage (88.02%).

Final standings

Playoffs

(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres

The Flyers were entering this year's playoffs still trying to forget the Eastern Conference finals the previous year. In 2000, they had a 3–1 series lead against the eventual Stanley Cup champion

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a 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 Conference. The club w ...

, but lost the next three. Head coach

Craig Ramsay Craig Edward Ramsay (born March 17, 1951) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He played in the NHL from 1971 to 1985 for the Buffalo Sabres, notably featuring in the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals with the Sabres. After his pla ...

was fired in the middle of the season, with general manager

Bobby Clarke Robert Earle Clarke (born August 13, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire 15-year National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team. Popular ...

explaining his decision was based on the fact his Flyers were not "tough enough". As Ramsay's replacement, Clarke hired former teammate

Bill Barber William Charles Barber (born July 11, 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League (NHL). As part of the famed LCB ( Leach, Clarke, Barber) line, ...

. The Sabres season was not as complicated, as head coach

Lindy Ruff Lindy Cameron Ruff (born February 17, 1960) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the List of NHL head coaches, head coach for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Ruff was previously the head coa ...

led his Sabres to one of their best regular seasons in recent history. In the playoffs, the two teams had met three times in four years, with the most recent series ending in with a Flyers win. The Sabres would look for revenge in the city of brotherly love. After Philadelphia was stopped by

Dominik Hasek Dominic, Dominik or Dominick is a male given name common among Roman Catholics and other Latin-Romans. Originally from the late Roman-Italic name "Dominicus", its translation means "Lordly", "Belonging to God" or "of the Master". The most promi ...

and the Sabres in the first two games, one of which was ended by a

Jay McKee Jay McKee (born September 8, 1977) is a Canadian coach and former professional ice hockey defenceman. He last played for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL), and was previously with the Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis B ...

overtime goal, the Flyers came out in Game 3 determined to win a game before losing the first three, and they did by one goal, but they lost again to the Sabres in Game 4 in overtime after

Curtis Brown Curtis Lee "Curt" Brown Jr. (born March 11, 1956) is a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Air Force colonel. Background Colonel Brown was born March 11, 1956. He graduated from East Bladen High School in Elizabethtown, North Carolin ...

beat goaltender Roman Cechmanek. The Flyers won in Game 5 by a two-goal margin, but were hammered by the Sabres in Game 6: they gave up a total of eight goals, five of which were surrendered by Cechmanek, who was replaced early by

Brian Boucher Brian Boucher ( ; born January 2, 1977) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who is a game analyst on national TNT games and also Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He played 13 seasons in the National Ho ...

, who himself conceded three goals. Hasek recorded another shutout in Game 6 as the Sabres progressed to the conference semifinals.

(5) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins

Entering the series, Buffalo held the best penalty killing (PK) squad which killed 88%, and Pittsburgh entered the series with the fifth best powerplay (PP) squad, which scored on 20% of its opportunities. However, the Buffalo PK and the Pittsburgh PP would underachieve during the series: Pittsburgh only scored 4 times on 27 opportunities (14%), so, consequently, Buffalo's PK percent dropped to 86. Buffalo also scored four power play goals, but on 33 chances (12%). The Sabres and Penguins had evenly matched goaltending: Pittsburgh goaltenders saved 155 shots out of 172 (90.2%), and Buffalo's saved 166 shots out of 183 (90.8%). Both teams scored 17 goals during the series, and they also scored the same number of power play goals, four. The Sabres just could not put the puck past

Johan Hedberg Johan "Moose" Hedberg (born 5 May 1973) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey goaltender. During a career that lasted from 1993 to 2014 he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, Atlanta Thrashers, and New Jers ...

in Game 1, with the Penguins needing only star center

Mario Lemieux Mario Lemieux (; ; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984–85 NHL season, 1984 and 2005–06 NHL se ...

's first-period goal to finish off Buffalo and take an early series lead. Dominik Hasek gave up three goals, the other two of which came courtesy of centers Wayne Primeau and

Jan Hrdina Jan Hrdina (born February 5, 1976) is a Czech Republic, Czech former professional ice hockey player. Playing career Hrdina was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft in the 5th round, 128th overall. In March 2003, the ...

in the second half of the third period. Penguins winger Jaromir Jagr, who assisted on the Lemieux goal in the first period, injured his leg in the third period and would miss Game 2. Both teams were rather inept on the powerplay, wasting five conversion opportunities each. In Game 2, the first period had no scoring, despite five different powerplays for the two teams. Then, about halfway through the second period, Penguins center

Robert Lang Robert Lang may refer to: *Robert Lang (ice hockey) (born 1970), Czech National Hockey League player *Robert Lang (cricketer) (1840–1908), cricketer *Robert Lang (cyclist) (1917–1997), Swiss cyclist *Robert Lang (rower) (born 1955), Australian ...

scored a goal to give the Penguins a 1–0. Three minutes later, Sabres center

Stu Barnes Stuart Douglas Barnes (born December 25, 1970) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward. He played 16 seasons at Centre (ice hockey), centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets (1972–96), Winnipeg Jets, ...

tied the game with the game's only powerplay goal. In the third period, Pittsburgh would score two more goals through defenceman

Andrew Ference Andrew James Stewart Ference (born March 17, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman. Ference played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers. In 2011, Ference helped the Bruins to ...

and an empty-netter by

Alexei Kovalev Alexei Vyacheslavovich Kovalev ( rus, Алексей Вячеславович Ковалёв, , ɐlʲɪkˈsʲej vʲɪtɕɪˈslavəvʲɪtɕ kəvɐˈlʲɵf; born February 24, 1973) is a Russian professional ice hockey coach, executive and former pr ...

. For the second consecutive game, there were no goals scored in the first period of Game 3, despite a combined 17 shots on goal. The Penguins scored on the power play in the second period to take the lead, but Sabres center Curtis Brown would tie the game through an even-strength goal as the period would end at 1–1. Johan Hedberg had been solid in the net for the Penguins, but conceded 3 goals from just 11 shots in the third period. At about the halfway point in the third period, Sabres defenseman Jason Woolley scored the go-ahead goal, and three minutes later, Miroslav Satan would score another goal to give Buffalo a two-goal lead. Defenseman James Patrick finished off the game with an empty-net goal to send the Sabres to a 4–1 victory in Game 3. Building off the road win in Game 3, Buffalo scored the first goal in Game 4 very early in the first period by center

Jean-Pierre Dumont Jean-Pierre "J.P." Dumont (born April 1, 1978) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey Forward (hockey), forward who played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, and Nashville Predators. Dumont ...

, but the Penguins would respond with a powerplay goal by center

Martin Straka Martin Straka (born September 3, 1972) is a Czech former ice hockey center who most recently played for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner, having bought a 70% share of the team in 2009. ...

. Sabres center Curtis Brown scored a short-handed goal late in the first period to give Buffalo the edge heading into the locker rooms. The second period featured only one goal by Janne Laukkanen, set up by Jagr and Lemieux, and the game was tied up going into the third. Stu Barnes scored twice in the third period, and the Sabres went on to win the game by three, five goals to two. Both teams were effective on the powerplay, each scoring one goal on two chances. Coming off two straight home losses, Buffalo works hard on the road to swipe the two home games back, swinging the series back to Buffalo's advantage. Penguins wingman Jaromir Jagr initiated the scoring in game five with a powerplay goal, the only goal in the first period. Pittsburgh would tack on another goal early on in the second period by winger

Aleksey Morozov Aleksey Morozov may refer to: * Alexei Morozov Alexei Alekseyevich Morozov (; born 16 February 1977) is the president of the Kontinental Hockey League and a Russian former professional ice hockey player. He played professional hockey with the ...

, but Sabres center

Chris Gratton Christopher Allan Gratton (born July 5, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who last played with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the cousin of Josh Gratton, who had also briefly played i ...

would respond with a powerplay goal, and the Penguins still had the lead until they gave up another short-handed goal to Curtis Brown. Curtis Brown's goal forced overtime, and Stu Barnes would score the game-winning goal to give Buffalo the series lead. The Sabres were down by two goals early but fought back and won the game by scoring three unanswered goals. Game five was the first overtime game in the string of three that would end the series. Buffalo's right winger

Maxim Afinogenov Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov (, ; born September 4, 1979) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player. Known for his skating speed, he was drafted by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Buffalo Sabres in the third round, 69th overall, i ...

scored in the first half of the first period of game six to give the Sabres and early lead, a lead the team would need because Pittsburgh's Alexei Kovalev tied the game up early in the second period.

Donald Audette Donald Daniel Audette (born September 23, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Montr ...

would break up the tied game with an even-strength goal late in the second period. Pittsburgh would persevere and score the tying goal with less than a minute to go in the third period courtesy of Mario Lemieux, so this match headed to overtime. Martin Straka was the hero of the Penguins on that night, as he scored the game-winning goal about halfway through the overtime period. Both teams didn't score on any of the combined seven chances they saw, and the fabled game seven was due. In game seven, the first period was an uneventful one, featuring no goals and few penalties, but the second period was a different story. Buffalo struck first as Jean-Pierre Dumont scored very early in the period, but that one-goal lead wouldn't last because Andrew Ference scored a powerplay goal to even things up at one goal apiece. Just about 30 seconds into the third period, Buffalo struck again as winger Steve Heinze scored a powerplay goal. Robert Lang would then score to tie the game up at two goals apiece. With a minute remaining in the third period and the Sabres applying pressure in the Penguins zone, Penguins defenceman

Darius Kasparaitis Darius Kasparaitis (born October 16, 1972) is a Lithuanian–American former professional ice hockey defenceman. He mainly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, and New Yo ...

grabbed the puck and threw it over the boards into the crowd. No penalty was called on the play and the game went to overtime. Later, Kasparaitis would win the game and the series for the Penguins as he scored off of passes from Jagr and Lang. Pittsburgh went on to face the New Jersey Devils in the conference finals.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 5, 2000, , 4–2 , , style="text-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 (N ...

( 2000–01) , , 1–0–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 7, 2000, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 2–0–0–0 , , , - , 3, , October 13, 2000, , 2–3 , , style="text-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 (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2000–01) , , 2–1–0–0 , , , - , 4, , October 14, 2000, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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

( 2000–01) , , 2–2–0–0 , , , - , 5, , October 17, 2000, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 2000–01) , , 2–3–0–0 , , , - , 6, , October 20, 2000, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 2000–01) , , 2–3–1–0 , , , - , 7, , October 21, 2000, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

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 ...

( 2000–01) , , 2–3–1–1 , , , - , 8, , October 25, 2000, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 3–3–1–1 , , , - , 9, , October 27, 2000, , 2–1 , , style="text-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. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 2000–01) , , 4–3–1–1 , , , - , 10, , October 28, 2000, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 5–3–1–1 , , , - , - , 11, , November 3, 2000, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 6–3–1–1 , , , - , 12, , November 4, 2000, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 6–4–1–1 , , , - , 13, , November 9, 2000, , 3–0 , , style="text-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 (N ...

( 2000–01) , , 7–4–1–1 , , , - , 14, , November 11, 2000, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 8–4–1–1 , , , - , 15, , November 13, 2000, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-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. The ...

( 2000–01) , , 9–4–1–1 , , , - , 16, , November 15, 2000, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 9–4–2–1 , , , - , 17, , November 17, 2000, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

( 2000–01) , , 10–4–2–1 , , , - , 18, , November 18, 2000, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2000–01) , , 10–5–2–1 , , , - , 19, , November 22, 2000, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 10–6–2–1 , , , - , 20, , November 24, 2000, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 11–6–2–1 , , , - , 21, , November 25, 2000, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 12–6–2–1 , , , - , 22, , November 28, 2000, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 2000–01) , , 12–7–2–1 , , , - , - , 23, , December 1, 2000, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 12–8–2–1 , , , - , 24, , December 2, 2000, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 13–8–2–1 , , , - , 25, , December 5, 2000, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 14–8–2–1 , , , - , 26, , December 7, 2000, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 15–8–2–1 , , , - , 27, , December 8, 2000, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 15–9–2–1 , , , - , 28, , December 12, 2000, , 3–0 , , style="text-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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 2000–01) , , 16–9–2–1 , , , - , 29, , December 15, 2000, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 16–10–2–1 , , , - , 30, , December 16, 2000, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 17–10–2–1 , , , - , 31, , December 20, 2000, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

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

( 2000–01) , , 17–10–3–1 , , , - , 32, , December 21, 2000, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 17–11–3–1 , , , - , 33, , December 23, 2000, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 2000–01) , , 18–11–3–1 , , , - , 34, , December 26, 2000, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 18–12–3–1 , , , - , 35, , December 29, 2000, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 19–12–3–1 , , , - , 36, , December 30, 2000, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 20–12–3–1 , , , - , - , 37, , January 1, 2001, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 20–13–3–1 , , , - , 38, , January 3, 2001, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 20–13–4–1 , , , - , 39, , January 5, 2001, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 20–13–5–1 , , , - , 40, , January 6, 2001, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

( 2000–01) , , 21–13–5–1 , , , - , 41, , January 9, 2001, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 21–14–5–1 , , , - , 42, , January 11, 2001, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 21–15–5–1 , , , - , 43, , January 12, 2001, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 22–15–5–1 , , , - , 44, , January 16, 2001, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

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

( 2000–01) , , 23–15–5–1 , , , - , 45, , January 19, 2001, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 24–15–5–1 , , , - , 46, , January 20, 2001, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 24–16–5–1 , , , - , 47, , January 23, 2001, , 1–2 , , style="text-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. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

( 2000–01) , , 24–17–5–1 , , , - , 48, , January 26, 2001, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 24–18–5–1 , , , - , 49, , January 27, 2001, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 25–18–5–1 , , , - , 50, , January 31, 2001, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 25–19–5–1 , , , - , - , 51, , February 1, 2001, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 25–20–5–1 , , , - , 52, , February 6, 2001, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 26–20–5–1 , , , - , 53, , February 7, 2001, , 2–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 27–20–5–1 , , , - , 54, , February 10, 2001, , 2–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 28–20–5–1 , , , - , 55, , February 11, 2001, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 28–21–5–1 , , , - , 56, , February 13, 2001, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 NHL sea ...

( 2000–01) , , 28–22–5–1 , , , - , 57, , February 15, 2001, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 29–22–5–1 , , , - , 58, , February 17, 2001, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 30–22–5–1 , , , - , 59, , February 19, 2001, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 31–22–5–1 , , , - , 60, , February 22, 2001, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 32–22–5–1 , , , - , 61, , February 23, 2001, , 3–7 , , style="text-align:left;",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 2000–01) , , 32–23–5–1 , , , - , 62, , February 25, 2001, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 33–23–5–1 , , , - , 63, , February 27, 2001, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 34–23–5–1 , , , - , - , 64, , March 1, 2001, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 34–24–5–1 , , , - , 65, , March 3, 2001, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

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

( 2000–01) , , 35–24–5–1 , , , - , 66, , March 4, 2001, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 35–25–5–1 , , , - , 67, , March 6, 2001, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 36–25–5–1 , , , - , 68, , March 9, 2001, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 36–26–5–1 , , , - , 69, , March 14, 2001, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 37–26–5–1 , , , - , 70, , March 16, 2001, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 38–26–5–1 , , , - , 71, , March 17, 2001, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 39–26–5–1 , , , - , 72, , March 20, 2001, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 40–26–5–1 , , , - , 73, , March 21, 2001, , 0–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 40–27–5–1 , , , - , 74, , March 24, 2001, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 41–27–5–1 , , , - , 75, , March 26, 2001, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 42–27–5–1 , , , - , 76, , March 27, 2001, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 42–28–5–1 , , , - , 77, , March 30, 2001, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 43–28–5–1 , , , - , - , 78, , April 1, 2001, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 44–28–5–1 , , , - , 79, , April 2, 2001, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2000–01) , , 45–28–5–1 , , , - , 80, , April 4, 2001, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 45–29–5–1 , , , - , 81, , April 6, 2001, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 46–29–5–1 , , , - , 82, , April 8, 2001, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2000–01) , , 46–30–5–1 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 11, 2001 , , 2–1 , , align="left", @

, , Sabres lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 14, 2001 , , 4–3 OT , , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers , , Sabres lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 16, 2001 , , 2–3 , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , Sabres lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 17, 2001 , , 4–3 OT , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , Sabres lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , April 19, 2001 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers , , Sabres lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 21, 2001 , , 8–0 , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , Sabres win 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , April 26, 2001 , , 0–3 , , align="left",

, , Penguins lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 28, 2001 , , 1–3 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , Penguins lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 30, 2001 , , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , Penguins lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 2, 2001 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , May 5, 2001 , , 3–2 OT , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , Sabres lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 8, 2001 , , 2–3 OT , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , Series tied 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , May 10, 2001 , , 2–3 OT , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , Penguins win 4–3 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; 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 goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; 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 either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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

* '' = 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.''

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 11, 2000, the day after the deciding game of the

2000 Stanley Cup Finals The 2000 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1999–2000 season, and the culmination of the 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils agai ...

, through June 9, 2001, the day of the deciding game of the

2001 Stanley Cup Finals The 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was the Stanley Cup Finals, championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2000–01 NHL season, 2000–01 season, and the culmination of the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Eastern ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 2000 NHL entry draft held at the

Pengrowth Saddledome Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Located in Stampede Park in the southeast end of downtown Calgary, the Saddledome was built in 1983 to replace the Stampede Corral as the home of the Calgary Flames ...

Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

Farm teams

Rochester Americans finished with a record of 46–22–9–3. They were swept out of the playoffs in the first round.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2000-01 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 most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

Off-season

Regular season

Final standings

Playoffs

(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres

(5) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Farm teams

See also

Notes

References