The 2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season was the 42nd season of operation (41st season of play) for 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 ...

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 National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...

Helsinki Helsinki () is the Capital city, capital and most populous List of cities and towns in Finland, city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About people live in the municipali ...

, 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 ...

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 Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, NHL, including 12 with the Montreal Canadiens. He later played for the San Jose ...

, 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. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

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 ( zh, t_hk=滙豐; initialism from its founding member The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) is a British universal bank and financial services group headquartered in London, England, with historical and business li ...

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

and the arena took on the name

First Niagara Center KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York, United States. 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 Nation ...

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, 201 ...

, 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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The 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 who is an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played major junior career with the Vancouver ...

. 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 and captain for the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL. He most recently played with HC '05 Banská Bystrica of the Slovak Extraliga (Slovak). He previously played in the ...

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 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 ...

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 compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

. 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 Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

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 professional ice hockey defenceman for Krefeld Pinguine of the German DEL2. In 2018, he won silver at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Winter Olympics. He played more than 800 games in the National Hocke ...

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 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 Flames prior ...

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

Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (, ; born 17September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the ...

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 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

and then at

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

. 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 defence (ice hockey), defenseman who played for the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). H ...

took a delay of game penalty, where Derek Roy 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. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

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

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

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 ...

, , , , 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. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , , , 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 par ...

, , , , 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 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. ...

, , 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. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

, , 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. 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 ...

, , 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. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

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

, , 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. The ...

, , 2–

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

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 ...

, , 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 Jets 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 te ...

, , 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 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 ...

, , 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 (N ...

, , 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 (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 ...

, , 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 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 ...

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

, , 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 (N ...

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

, , 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. 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 ...

, , 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. 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 ...

, , 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. 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 ...

, , 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. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

, , 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–

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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 Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who spent thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of seven different teams. Boyes made his NHL debut in 2003 for t ...

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 entry draft for the National Hockey League. 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 ...

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

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

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