2006β07 Buffalo Sabres | |
---|---|
Presidents' Trophy winners | |
Northeast Division champions | |
Division | 1st Northeast |
Conference | 1st Eastern |
2006β07 record | 53β22β7 |
Home record | 28β10β3 |
Road record | 25β12β4 |
Goals for | 308 |
Goals against | 242 |
Team information | |
General manager | Darcy Regier |
Coach | Lindy Ruff |
Captain |
Daniel Briere and Chris Drury |
Alternate captains | Teppo Numminen |
Arena | HSBC Arena |
Average attendance | 18,690 |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Thomas Vanek (43) |
Assists | Daniel Briere (63) |
Points | Daniel Briere (95) |
Penalty minutes | Adam Mair (128) |
Plus/minus | Thomas Vanek (+47) |
Wins | Ryan Miller (40) |
Goals against average | Ryan Miller (2.73) |
The 2006β07 Buffalo Sabres season was the 37th season of operation, 36th season of play, for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. [1] The Season began with the team attempting to rebound from a disappointing end to the 2005β06 season, in which the Sabres advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing in seven to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.
With the best regular-season record in the NHL, the Sabres were awarded the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in their history, and they also earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They defeated the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference finals, however, the Sabres' season came to an end when they were defeated by the Ottawa Senators in game five of the Conference finals. As of 2023, this remains the most recent season the Sabres won a playoff series.
The team lost several veterans to free agency, including J. P. Dumont, Jay McKee, Mike Grier, and Rory Fitzpatrick. Conversely, the team signed only one new player to the roster: defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. The team planned to rely on young players from their own organization β Jiri Novotny, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Paetsch, to name a fewβto fill the holes left by the departing players.
Controversy swirled around the team's logo and jersey, meanwhile, as the look was changed. The team's colors were reverted to blue and gold, which they had worn from their addition to the league as an expansion team until 1996β97, when the colors were changed to black and red. The new logo, though, was said to resemble to many a slug or a wig. There were strong efforts to prevent the team from wearing this new jersey, although none were successful. The team's new third jersey, meanwhile, featured the team's original logo. Despite the controversy, the NHL reported that sales of Sabres merchandise were up approximately 1170% from the 2005β2006 season. [2]
The Sabres were very successful early in the season, tying an NHL record by winning their first ten games, before finally suffering a shootout loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. [3] They did not lose a game in regulation until exactly one month into the season, in their thirteenth game, when they lost to Toronto. [4] The Sabres also set an NHL record by winning their first ten road games of the season, [5] not losing outside of HSBC Arena until November 18 in Ottawa. This record would not be broken until 2023, when the Los Angeles Kings won their 11th straight road game to start the season.
On January 9, it was announced that three members of the Sabres had been voted to start the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference: forward Daniel Briere, defenseman Brian Campbell, and goaltender Ryan Miller. It was the first All-Star appearance for each. [6] In addition, as the Sabres had the best record in the Eastern Conference as of the end of All-Star voting, head coach Lindy Ruff was assigned to coach the Eastern Conference team. [7] Briere recorded a goal and four assists in the game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the game. [8] Thomas Vanek was also invited to All-Star Weekend to play in the YoungStars game. [9]
On January 13, Jason Pominville recorded his 20th goal of the season, becoming the fourth Sabre (after Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov) to record 20 goals before the All-Star break. At the time of Pominville's 20th goal, no other team in the NHL had more than two players with 20 goals. [10] Daniel Briere became the fifth Sabre to record 20 goals as he scored a hat-trick on January 30 against the Boston Bruins. With the feat, the Sabres became the first team since the 1995β96 Pittsburgh Penguins to have five 20βgoal scorers before February. [11] Four Sabres would go on to reach the 30-goal plateau. For the first time in 12 years, Buffalo was not shut-out in any of their 82 regular season games. Moreover, the Sabres led the NHL in goals scored and became the first team to score at least 200 even-strength goals during the regular season since the New Jersey Devils in 2000β01.
In February, the Sabres found themselves battling injury problems. Forward Tim Connolly had been on the long-term injury list all season, and he was joined by Paul Gaustad when a tendon in his leg was sliced on February 7 against the Ottawa Senators. Jaroslav Spacek broke his left hand soon thereafter, and the Sabres lost Maxim Afinogenov, who broke his left wrist, and Jiri Novotny with a high ankle sprain. Ales Kotalik was next to go down, with a knee sprain, and forward Daniel Paille broke his finger. Against the Ottawa Senators on February 22, captain Chris Drury was injured by a blow to the head by Chris Neil, sparking a wild brawl which saw a fight between Martin Biron and Senators goaltender Ray Emery, and later between Emery and Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters. [12]
The Sabres were the last team to be involved in a trade in the 2006β07 season. On the day of the NHL trade deadline, though, they made four trades. Goaltender Martin Biron, who had been the longest-tenured Sabre, was sent to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo's fifth-round pick in that draft was sent to Columbus in exchange for another backup goalie, Ty Conklin. Jiri Novotny was sent along with Buffalo's 2007 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling. Finally, the Sabres sent their fourth-round pick in 2007 to Nashville for Mikko Lehtonen, a minor league defenseman. [13]
Due to injuries, many Sabres prospects were called up from the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and made their NHL debuts during the season; Mike Card, Michael Funk, Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari, Michael Ryan, Andrej Sekera and Drew Stafford all played their first career NHL game during the 2006β07 season.
The Sabres finished with 298 goals scored (excluding 10 shootout-winning goals), the most in the League. [14] [15]
No. | CR | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 |
2 | 4 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 288 | 222 | 105 |
3 | 9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 258 | 269 | 91 |
4 | 10 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 245 | 256 | 90 |
5 | 13 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 219 | 289 | 76 |
Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
R | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | P - Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 |
2 | Y - New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 49 | 24 | 9 | 216 | 201 | 107 |
3 | Y - Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 43 | 28 | 11 | 246 | 245 | 97 |
4 | X - Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 288 | 222 | 105 |
5 | X - Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 24 | 11 | 277 | 246 | 105 |
6 | X - New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 242 | 216 | 94 |
7 | X - Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 253 | 261 | 93 |
8 | X - New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 248 | 240 | 92 |
8.5 | |||||||||
9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 258 | 269 | 91 |
10 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 245 | 256 | 90 |
11 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 40 | 34 | 8 | 241 | 253 | 88 |
12 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 35 | 31 | 16 | 247 | 257 | 86 |
13 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 219 | 289 | 76 |
14 | Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 28 | 40 | 14 | 235 | 286 | 70 |
15 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 22 | 48 | 12 | 214 | 303 | 56 |
Divisions: AT β Atlantic, NE β Northeast, SE β Southeast |
P β Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y β Clinched Division; X β Clinched Playoff spot
Record for month 10β0β1 (Home 4β0β1 Away 6β0β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
1 | October 4 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Carolina | SO | Miller | 18,840 | 1β0β0 | 2 |
2 | October 6 | Montreal | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 2β0β0 | 4 |
3 | October 7 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Ottawa | Biron | 19,202 | 3β0β0 | 6 | |
4 | October 13 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Detroit | SO | Miller | 20,066 | 4β0β0 | 8 |
5 | October 14 | NY Rangers | 4 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 5β0β0 | 10 | |
6 | October 17 | Philadelphia | 1 β 9 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 6β0β0 | 12 | |
7 | October 20 | Carolina | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 7β0β0 | 14 | |
8 | October 21 | Buffalo | 6 β 2 | Boston | Biron | 14,382 | 8β0β0 | 16 | |
9 | October 23 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Montreal | Miller | 21,273 | 9β0β0 | 18 | |
10 | October 26 | Buffalo | 3 β 0 | NY Islanders | Miller | 8,861 | 10β0β0 | 20 | |
11 | October 28 | Atlanta | 5 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 10β0β1 | 21 |
Record for Month 9β3β1 (Home 4β2β1 Away 5β1β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
12 | November 2 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | Boston | SO | Miller | 12,547 | 11β0β1 | 23 |
13 | November 4 | Toronto | 4 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 11β1β1 | 23 | |
14 | November 5 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | NY Rangers | OT | Biron | 18,200 | 12β1β1 | 25 |
15 | November 10 | Florida | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | OT | Biron | 18,690 | 13β1β1 | 27 |
16 | November 11 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | Philadelphia | OT | Biron | 19,633 | 14β1β1 | 29 |
17 | November 13 | Buffalo | 7 β 4 | Carolina | Biron | 14,387 | 15β1β1 | 31 | |
18 | November 15 | Ottawa | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 15β2β1 | 31 | |
19 | November 17 | Pittsburgh | 2 β 4 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 16β2β1 | 33 | |
20 | November 18 | Buffalo | 1 β 4 | Ottawa | Miller | 19,770 | 16β3β1 | 33 | |
21 | November 20 | Tampa Bay | 2 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 17β3β1 | 35 | |
22 | November 22 | Toronto | 4 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 18β3β1 | 37 | |
23 | November 24 | Montreal | 2 β 1 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | 18β3β2 | 38 |
24 | November 26 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | NY Rangers | OT | Miller | 18,200 | 19β3β2 | 40 |
Record for Month 9β4β1 (Home 5β2β0 Away 4β2β1)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
25 | December 1 | NY Rangers | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 20β3β2 | 42 |
26 | December 2 | Buffalo | 4 β 7 | Washington | Biron | 17,162 | 20β4β2 | 42 | |
27 | December 5 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Tampa Bay | Miller | 20,025 | 21β4β2 | 44 | |
28 | December 7 | Buffalo | 1 β 3 | Florida | Miller | 15,385 | 21β5β2 | 44 | |
29 | December 9 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Montreal | SO | Miller | 21,273 | 22β5β2 | 46 |
30 | December 12 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | New Jersey | Miller | 11,156 | 23β5β2 | 48 | |
31 | December 14 | Florida | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β5β2 | 50 | |
32 | December 16 | Ottawa | 3 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β6β2 | 50 | |
33 | December 19 | Montreal | 5 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β7β2 | 50 | |
34 | December 21 | Buffalo | 7 β 2 | Nashville | Biron | 16,616 | 25β7β2 | 52 | |
35 | December 23 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | St. Louis | OT | Biron | 12,513 | 25β7β3 | 53 |
36 | December 26 | Washington | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 26β7β3 | 55 | |
37 | December 28 | Carolina | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 27β7β3 | 57 | |
38 | December 30 | Atlanta | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 28β7β3 | 59 |
Record for Month 6β7β1 (Home 4β3β0 Away 2β4β1)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
39 | January 1 | NY Islanders | 1 β 3 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 29β7β3 | 61 | |
40 | January 3 | Buffalo | 3 β 6 | Ottawa | Miller | 19,777 | 29β8β3 | 61 | |
41 | January 5 | Pittsburgh | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 29β9β3 | 61 | |
42 | January 6 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Toronto | Biron | 19,487 | 30β9β3 | 63 | |
43 | January 10 | Buffalo | 2 β 1 | Chicago | Miller | 14,041 | 31β9β3 | 65 | |
44 | January 11 | Toronto | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 31β10β3 | 65 | |
45 | January 13 | Tampa Bay | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 31β11β3 | 65 | |
46 | January 15 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | Boston | SO | Miller | 15,585 | 31β11β4 | 66 |
47 | January 17 | Boston | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 32β11β4 | 68 | |
48 | January 19 | Vancouver | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 33β11β4 | 70 |
49 | January 20 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Montreal | Biron | 21,273 | 33β12β4 | 70 | |
50 | January 26 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | Columbus | Miller | 18,136 | 33β13β4 | 70 | |
51 | January 27 | Buffalo | 3 β 5 | NY Islanders | Miller | 15,218 | 33β14β4 | 70 | |
52 | January 30 | Boston | 1 β 7 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 34β14β4 | 72 |
Record for Month 8β2β1 (Home 5β0β1 Away 3β2β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
53 | February 1 | Buffalo | 3 β 1 | Boston | Biron | 13,853 | 35β14β4 | 74 | |
54 | February 3 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | New Jersey | Miller | 18,589 | 35β15β4 | 74 | |
55 | February 6 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Atlanta | SO | Miller | 17,881 | 36β15β4 | 76 |
56 | February 7 | Ottawa | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 37β15β4 | 78 | |
57 | February 10 | Calgary | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 38β15β4 | 80 |
58 | February 15 | Edmonton | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | 39β15β4 | 82 |
59 | February 17 | Boston | 4 β 3 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 39β15β5 | 83 |
60 | February 20 | Philadelphia | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 40β15β5 | 85 | |
61 | February 22 | Ottawa | 5 β 6 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 41β15β5 | 87 |
62 | February 24 | Buffalo | 5 β 6 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,040 | 41β16β5 | 87 | |
63 | February 27 | Buffalo | 6 β 1 | Toronto | Miller | 19,588 | 42β16β5 | 89 |
Record for Month 8β5β2 (Home 5β3β0 Away 3β2β2)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
64 | March 2 | Montreal | 5 β 8 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 43β16β5 | 91 | |
65 | March 3 | Buffalo | 3 β 1 | Toronto | Miller | 19,515 | 44β16β5 | 93 | |
66 | March 7 | Colorado | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β17β5 | 93 | |
67 | March 9 | Minnesota | 5 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β18β5 | 93 | |
68 | March 10 | New Jersey | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β19β5 | 93 | |
69 | March 13 | Buffalo | 4 β 5 | Pittsburgh | SO | Miller | 17,132 | 44β19β6 | 94 |
70 | March 15 | Buffalo | 5 β 3 | Florida | Conklin | 18,111 | 45β19β6 | 96 | |
71 | March 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Tampa Bay | Miller | 21,264 | 46β19β6 | 98 | |
72 | March 18 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Atlanta | OT | Miller | 18,602 | 46β19β7 | 99 |
73 | March 21 | Washington | 2 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 47β19β7 | 101 | |
74 | March 23 | Toronto | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 48β19β7 | 103 | |
75 | March 24 | Buffalo | 1 β 4 | Toronto | Miller | 19,571 | 48β20β7 | 103 | |
76 | March 28 | New Jersey | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 49β20β7 | 105 | |
77 | March 30 | NY Islanders | 4 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 50β20β7 | 107 | |
78 | March 31 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Montreal | Conklin | 21,273 | 50β21β7 | 107 |
Record for Month 3β1β0 (Home 1β0β0 Away 2β1β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
79 | April 3 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Pittsburgh | Miller | 17,132 | 51β21β7 | 109 | |
80 | April 5 | Boston | 2 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 52β21β7 | 111 | |
81 | April 7 | Buffalo | 2 β 0 | Washington | Miller | 18,277 | 53β21β7 | 113 | |
82 | April 8 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Philadelphia | Conklin | 19,027 | 53β22β7 | 113 |
The Sabres earned the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of finishing with the highest point total in the conference.
The Sabres faced the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | April 12 | NY Islanders | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 1β0 | |
2 | April 14 | NY Islanders | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Series tied 1β1 | |
3 | April 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | NY Islanders | Miller | 16,234 | Sabres lead 2β1 | |
4 | April 18 | Buffalo | 4 β 2 | NY Islanders | Miller | 16,234 | Sabres lead 3β1 | |
5 | April 20 | NY Islanders | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres win 4β1 |
The Sabres faced the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. The Rangers advanced by sweeping the Atlanta Thrashers, the number three seed, in the first round.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | April 25 | NY Rangers | 2 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 1β0 | |
2 | April 27 | NY Rangers | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 2β0 | |
3 | April 29 | Buffalo | 1 β 2 | NY Rangers | 2OT | Miller | 18,200 | Sabres lead 2β1 |
4 | May 1 | Buffalo | 1 β 2 | NY Rangers | Miller | 18,200 | Series tied 2β2 | |
5 | May 4 | NY Rangers | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 3β2 |
6 | May 6 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | NY Rangers | Miller | 18,200 | Sabres win 4β2 |
The Sabres faced their division rivals, the Ottawa Senators, in the Eastern Conference finals. The Senators advanced by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and the New Jersey Devils in the second. The Sabres lost the series, four games to one.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | May 10 | Ottawa | 5 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Senators lead 1β0 | |
2 | May 12 | Ottawa | 4 β 3 | Buffalo | 2OT | Miller | 18,690 | Senators lead 2β0 |
3 | May 14 | Buffalo | 0 β 1 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,171 | Senators lead 3β0 | |
4 | May 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,294 | Senators lead 3β1 | |
5 | May 19 | Ottawa | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | Senators win 4β1 |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | # | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
Daniel Briere | 48 | 81 | 32 | 63 | 95 | +17 | 89 | 16 | 3 | 12 | 15 | +3 | 16 | ||
Thomas Vanek | 26 | 82 | 43 | 41 | 84 | +47 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 10 | +2 | 10 | ||
Chris Drury | 23 | 77 | 37 | 32 | 69 | +1 | 30 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 13 | +3 | 2 | ||
Jason Pominville | 29 | 82 | 34 | 34 | 68 | +25 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 10 | +2 | 0 | ||
Derek Roy | 9 | 75 | 21 | 42 | 63 | +37 | 60 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 7 | +3 | 14 | ||
Maxim Afinogenov | 61 | 56 | 23 | 38 | 61 | +19 | 66 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 9 | +3 | 6 | ||
Jochen Hecht | 55 | 76 | 19 | 37 | 56 | +19 | 39 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 5 | +2 | 10 | ||
Brian Campbell | 51 | 82 | 6 | 42 | 48 | +28 | 35 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 14 | ||
Ales Kotalik | 12 | 66 | 16 | 22 | 38 | -5 | 46 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 8 | ||
Dmitri Kalinin | 45 | 82 | 7 | 22 | 29 | +19 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +9 | 14 | ||
Teppo Numminen | 27 | 79 | 2 | 27 | 29 | +17 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +10 | 4 | ||
Drew Stafford | 21 | 41 | 13 | 14 | 27 | +5 | 33 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +3 | 4 | ||
Nathan Paetsch | 38 | 63 | 2 | 22 | 24 | +10 | 50 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Paul Gaustad | 28 | 54 | 9 | 13 | 22 | +11 | 74 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 2 | ||
Jaroslav Spacek | 6 | 65 | 5 | 16 | 21 | +20 | 62 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 10 | ||
Toni Lydman | 5 | 67 | 2 | 17 | 19 | +10 | 55 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -5 | 14 | ||
Henrik Tallinder | 10 | 47 | 4 | 10 | 14 | +19 | 34 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 10 | ||
Jiri Novotny* | 13 | 50 | 6 | 7 | 13 | -2 | 26 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Adam Mair | 22 | 82 | 2 | 9 | 11 | -1 | 128 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 5 | +5 | 10 | ||
Daniel Paille | 20 | 29 | 3 | 8 | 11 | +5 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Dainius Zubrus* | 15 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -3 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 8 | +1 | 8 | ||
Clarke MacArthur | 41 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 7 | +4 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Michael Ryan | 37 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -8 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Andrew Peters | 76 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 125 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Michael Funk | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Patrick Kaleta | 36 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +3 | 21 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ryan Miller | 30 | 63 | 0 | 2 | 2 | N/A | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 2 | ||
Tim Connolly | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 9 | +6 | 4 | ||
Mark Mancari | 25 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Andrej Sekera | 44 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Mike Card | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ty Conklin* | 35 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Martin Biron* | 43 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
Thomas Vanek finished the season with the best plus/minus rating in the entire NHL with a +47.
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = OvertimelLosses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | # | GP | Min | W | L | OTL | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | GP | Min | W | L | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA | ||
Ryan Miller | 30 | 63 | 3692 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 168 | 2 | .911 | 2.73 | 16 | 1029 | 9 | 7 | 38 | 0 | .922 | 2.22 | ||
Martin Biron* | 43 | 19 | 1066 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 54 | 0 | .899 | 3.04 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ty Conklin* | 35 | 5 | 227 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | .892 | 3.43 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
July 10, 2006 | To
Edmonton Oilers Jan Hejda |
To
Buffalo Sabres Seventh-round pick in 2007 |
July 14, 2006 | To
Vancouver Canucks Taylor Pyatt |
To
Buffalo Sabres Fourth-round pick in 2007 |
February 27, 2007 | To
Philadelphia Flyers Martin Biron |
To
Buffalo Sabres Second-round pick in 2007 |
February 27, 2007 | To
Columbus Blue Jackets Fifth-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Ty Conklin |
February 27, 2007 | To
Washington Capitals Jiri Novotny First-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Dainius Zubrus Timo Helbling |
February 27, 2007 | To
Nashville Predators Fourth-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Mikko Lehtonen |
Player | Former team |
D Jaroslav Spacek | Edmonton Oilers |
Player | New team | Date |
F Chris Thorburn | Pittsburgh Penguins | October 3 |
Buffalo's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. [18] The Sabres had the 24th overall draft pick for their success in the 2005β06 NHL season.
Round | # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team (league) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Dennis Persson (D) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres | VIK VΓ€sterΓ₯s HK ( Allsvenskan) |
2 | 46 | Jhonas Enroth (G) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres (from Vancouver) | SΓΆdertΓ€lje SK ( Elitserien) |
2 | 57 | Mike Weber (D) | United States | Buffalo Sabres | Windsor Spitfires ( OHL) |
4 | 117 | Felix Schutz (C) | Germany | Buffalo Sabres | Saint John Sea Dogs ( QMJHL) |
5 | 147 | Alex Biega (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Salisbury School ( USHS-CN) |
7 | 207 | Benjamin Breault (C) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
The Rochester Americans were the Buffalo Sabres' farm team during the 2006β07 season.
2006β07 Buffalo Sabres | |
---|---|
Presidents' Trophy winners | |
Northeast Division champions | |
Division | 1st Northeast |
Conference | 1st Eastern |
2006β07 record | 53β22β7 |
Home record | 28β10β3 |
Road record | 25β12β4 |
Goals for | 308 |
Goals against | 242 |
Team information | |
General manager | Darcy Regier |
Coach | Lindy Ruff |
Captain |
Daniel Briere and Chris Drury |
Alternate captains | Teppo Numminen |
Arena | HSBC Arena |
Average attendance | 18,690 |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Thomas Vanek (43) |
Assists | Daniel Briere (63) |
Points | Daniel Briere (95) |
Penalty minutes | Adam Mair (128) |
Plus/minus | Thomas Vanek (+47) |
Wins | Ryan Miller (40) |
Goals against average | Ryan Miller (2.73) |
The 2006β07 Buffalo Sabres season was the 37th season of operation, 36th season of play, for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. [1] The Season began with the team attempting to rebound from a disappointing end to the 2005β06 season, in which the Sabres advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing in seven to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.
With the best regular-season record in the NHL, the Sabres were awarded the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in their history, and they also earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They defeated the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference finals, however, the Sabres' season came to an end when they were defeated by the Ottawa Senators in game five of the Conference finals. As of 2023, this remains the most recent season the Sabres won a playoff series.
The team lost several veterans to free agency, including J. P. Dumont, Jay McKee, Mike Grier, and Rory Fitzpatrick. Conversely, the team signed only one new player to the roster: defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. The team planned to rely on young players from their own organization β Jiri Novotny, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Paetsch, to name a fewβto fill the holes left by the departing players.
Controversy swirled around the team's logo and jersey, meanwhile, as the look was changed. The team's colors were reverted to blue and gold, which they had worn from their addition to the league as an expansion team until 1996β97, when the colors were changed to black and red. The new logo, though, was said to resemble to many a slug or a wig. There were strong efforts to prevent the team from wearing this new jersey, although none were successful. The team's new third jersey, meanwhile, featured the team's original logo. Despite the controversy, the NHL reported that sales of Sabres merchandise were up approximately 1170% from the 2005β2006 season. [2]
The Sabres were very successful early in the season, tying an NHL record by winning their first ten games, before finally suffering a shootout loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. [3] They did not lose a game in regulation until exactly one month into the season, in their thirteenth game, when they lost to Toronto. [4] The Sabres also set an NHL record by winning their first ten road games of the season, [5] not losing outside of HSBC Arena until November 18 in Ottawa. This record would not be broken until 2023, when the Los Angeles Kings won their 11th straight road game to start the season.
On January 9, it was announced that three members of the Sabres had been voted to start the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference: forward Daniel Briere, defenseman Brian Campbell, and goaltender Ryan Miller. It was the first All-Star appearance for each. [6] In addition, as the Sabres had the best record in the Eastern Conference as of the end of All-Star voting, head coach Lindy Ruff was assigned to coach the Eastern Conference team. [7] Briere recorded a goal and four assists in the game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the game. [8] Thomas Vanek was also invited to All-Star Weekend to play in the YoungStars game. [9]
On January 13, Jason Pominville recorded his 20th goal of the season, becoming the fourth Sabre (after Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov) to record 20 goals before the All-Star break. At the time of Pominville's 20th goal, no other team in the NHL had more than two players with 20 goals. [10] Daniel Briere became the fifth Sabre to record 20 goals as he scored a hat-trick on January 30 against the Boston Bruins. With the feat, the Sabres became the first team since the 1995β96 Pittsburgh Penguins to have five 20βgoal scorers before February. [11] Four Sabres would go on to reach the 30-goal plateau. For the first time in 12 years, Buffalo was not shut-out in any of their 82 regular season games. Moreover, the Sabres led the NHL in goals scored and became the first team to score at least 200 even-strength goals during the regular season since the New Jersey Devils in 2000β01.
In February, the Sabres found themselves battling injury problems. Forward Tim Connolly had been on the long-term injury list all season, and he was joined by Paul Gaustad when a tendon in his leg was sliced on February 7 against the Ottawa Senators. Jaroslav Spacek broke his left hand soon thereafter, and the Sabres lost Maxim Afinogenov, who broke his left wrist, and Jiri Novotny with a high ankle sprain. Ales Kotalik was next to go down, with a knee sprain, and forward Daniel Paille broke his finger. Against the Ottawa Senators on February 22, captain Chris Drury was injured by a blow to the head by Chris Neil, sparking a wild brawl which saw a fight between Martin Biron and Senators goaltender Ray Emery, and later between Emery and Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters. [12]
The Sabres were the last team to be involved in a trade in the 2006β07 season. On the day of the NHL trade deadline, though, they made four trades. Goaltender Martin Biron, who had been the longest-tenured Sabre, was sent to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo's fifth-round pick in that draft was sent to Columbus in exchange for another backup goalie, Ty Conklin. Jiri Novotny was sent along with Buffalo's 2007 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling. Finally, the Sabres sent their fourth-round pick in 2007 to Nashville for Mikko Lehtonen, a minor league defenseman. [13]
Due to injuries, many Sabres prospects were called up from the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and made their NHL debuts during the season; Mike Card, Michael Funk, Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari, Michael Ryan, Andrej Sekera and Drew Stafford all played their first career NHL game during the 2006β07 season.
The Sabres finished with 298 goals scored (excluding 10 shootout-winning goals), the most in the League. [14] [15]
No. | CR | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 |
2 | 4 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 288 | 222 | 105 |
3 | 9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 258 | 269 | 91 |
4 | 10 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 245 | 256 | 90 |
5 | 13 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 219 | 289 | 76 |
Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
R | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | P - Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 |
2 | Y - New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 49 | 24 | 9 | 216 | 201 | 107 |
3 | Y - Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 43 | 28 | 11 | 246 | 245 | 97 |
4 | X - Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 288 | 222 | 105 |
5 | X - Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 24 | 11 | 277 | 246 | 105 |
6 | X - New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 242 | 216 | 94 |
7 | X - Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 253 | 261 | 93 |
8 | X - New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 248 | 240 | 92 |
8.5 | |||||||||
9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 258 | 269 | 91 |
10 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 245 | 256 | 90 |
11 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 40 | 34 | 8 | 241 | 253 | 88 |
12 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 35 | 31 | 16 | 247 | 257 | 86 |
13 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 219 | 289 | 76 |
14 | Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 28 | 40 | 14 | 235 | 286 | 70 |
15 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 22 | 48 | 12 | 214 | 303 | 56 |
Divisions: AT β Atlantic, NE β Northeast, SE β Southeast |
P β Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y β Clinched Division; X β Clinched Playoff spot
Record for month 10β0β1 (Home 4β0β1 Away 6β0β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
1 | October 4 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Carolina | SO | Miller | 18,840 | 1β0β0 | 2 |
2 | October 6 | Montreal | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 2β0β0 | 4 |
3 | October 7 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Ottawa | Biron | 19,202 | 3β0β0 | 6 | |
4 | October 13 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Detroit | SO | Miller | 20,066 | 4β0β0 | 8 |
5 | October 14 | NY Rangers | 4 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 5β0β0 | 10 | |
6 | October 17 | Philadelphia | 1 β 9 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 6β0β0 | 12 | |
7 | October 20 | Carolina | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 7β0β0 | 14 | |
8 | October 21 | Buffalo | 6 β 2 | Boston | Biron | 14,382 | 8β0β0 | 16 | |
9 | October 23 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Montreal | Miller | 21,273 | 9β0β0 | 18 | |
10 | October 26 | Buffalo | 3 β 0 | NY Islanders | Miller | 8,861 | 10β0β0 | 20 | |
11 | October 28 | Atlanta | 5 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 10β0β1 | 21 |
Record for Month 9β3β1 (Home 4β2β1 Away 5β1β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
12 | November 2 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | Boston | SO | Miller | 12,547 | 11β0β1 | 23 |
13 | November 4 | Toronto | 4 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 11β1β1 | 23 | |
14 | November 5 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | NY Rangers | OT | Biron | 18,200 | 12β1β1 | 25 |
15 | November 10 | Florida | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | OT | Biron | 18,690 | 13β1β1 | 27 |
16 | November 11 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | Philadelphia | OT | Biron | 19,633 | 14β1β1 | 29 |
17 | November 13 | Buffalo | 7 β 4 | Carolina | Biron | 14,387 | 15β1β1 | 31 | |
18 | November 15 | Ottawa | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 15β2β1 | 31 | |
19 | November 17 | Pittsburgh | 2 β 4 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 16β2β1 | 33 | |
20 | November 18 | Buffalo | 1 β 4 | Ottawa | Miller | 19,770 | 16β3β1 | 33 | |
21 | November 20 | Tampa Bay | 2 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 17β3β1 | 35 | |
22 | November 22 | Toronto | 4 β 7 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 18β3β1 | 37 | |
23 | November 24 | Montreal | 2 β 1 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | 18β3β2 | 38 |
24 | November 26 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | NY Rangers | OT | Miller | 18,200 | 19β3β2 | 40 |
Record for Month 9β4β1 (Home 5β2β0 Away 4β2β1)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
25 | December 1 | NY Rangers | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 20β3β2 | 42 |
26 | December 2 | Buffalo | 4 β 7 | Washington | Biron | 17,162 | 20β4β2 | 42 | |
27 | December 5 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Tampa Bay | Miller | 20,025 | 21β4β2 | 44 | |
28 | December 7 | Buffalo | 1 β 3 | Florida | Miller | 15,385 | 21β5β2 | 44 | |
29 | December 9 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Montreal | SO | Miller | 21,273 | 22β5β2 | 46 |
30 | December 12 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | New Jersey | Miller | 11,156 | 23β5β2 | 48 | |
31 | December 14 | Florida | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β5β2 | 50 | |
32 | December 16 | Ottawa | 3 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β6β2 | 50 | |
33 | December 19 | Montreal | 5 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 24β7β2 | 50 | |
34 | December 21 | Buffalo | 7 β 2 | Nashville | Biron | 16,616 | 25β7β2 | 52 | |
35 | December 23 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | St. Louis | OT | Biron | 12,513 | 25β7β3 | 53 |
36 | December 26 | Washington | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 26β7β3 | 55 | |
37 | December 28 | Carolina | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 27β7β3 | 57 | |
38 | December 30 | Atlanta | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 28β7β3 | 59 |
Record for Month 6β7β1 (Home 4β3β0 Away 2β4β1)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
39 | January 1 | NY Islanders | 1 β 3 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 29β7β3 | 61 | |
40 | January 3 | Buffalo | 3 β 6 | Ottawa | Miller | 19,777 | 29β8β3 | 61 | |
41 | January 5 | Pittsburgh | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 29β9β3 | 61 | |
42 | January 6 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Toronto | Biron | 19,487 | 30β9β3 | 63 | |
43 | January 10 | Buffalo | 2 β 1 | Chicago | Miller | 14,041 | 31β9β3 | 65 | |
44 | January 11 | Toronto | 4 β 2 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 31β10β3 | 65 | |
45 | January 13 | Tampa Bay | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 31β11β3 | 65 | |
46 | January 15 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | Boston | SO | Miller | 15,585 | 31β11β4 | 66 |
47 | January 17 | Boston | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 32β11β4 | 68 | |
48 | January 19 | Vancouver | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 33β11β4 | 70 |
49 | January 20 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Montreal | Biron | 21,273 | 33β12β4 | 70 | |
50 | January 26 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | Columbus | Miller | 18,136 | 33β13β4 | 70 | |
51 | January 27 | Buffalo | 3 β 5 | NY Islanders | Miller | 15,218 | 33β14β4 | 70 | |
52 | January 30 | Boston | 1 β 7 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 34β14β4 | 72 |
Record for Month 8β2β1 (Home 5β0β1 Away 3β2β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
53 | February 1 | Buffalo | 3 β 1 | Boston | Biron | 13,853 | 35β14β4 | 74 | |
54 | February 3 | Buffalo | 2 β 3 | New Jersey | Miller | 18,589 | 35β15β4 | 74 | |
55 | February 6 | Buffalo | 4 β 3 | Atlanta | SO | Miller | 17,881 | 36β15β4 | 76 |
56 | February 7 | Ottawa | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | Biron | 18,690 | 37β15β4 | 78 | |
57 | February 10 | Calgary | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 38β15β4 | 80 |
58 | February 15 | Edmonton | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | 39β15β4 | 82 |
59 | February 17 | Boston | 4 β 3 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 39β15β5 | 83 |
60 | February 20 | Philadelphia | 3 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 40β15β5 | 85 | |
61 | February 22 | Ottawa | 5 β 6 | Buffalo | SO | Miller | 18,690 | 41β15β5 | 87 |
62 | February 24 | Buffalo | 5 β 6 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,040 | 41β16β5 | 87 | |
63 | February 27 | Buffalo | 6 β 1 | Toronto | Miller | 19,588 | 42β16β5 | 89 |
Record for Month 8β5β2 (Home 5β3β0 Away 3β2β2)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
64 | March 2 | Montreal | 5 β 8 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 43β16β5 | 91 | |
65 | March 3 | Buffalo | 3 β 1 | Toronto | Miller | 19,515 | 44β16β5 | 93 | |
66 | March 7 | Colorado | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β17β5 | 93 | |
67 | March 9 | Minnesota | 5 β 1 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β18β5 | 93 | |
68 | March 10 | New Jersey | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 44β19β5 | 93 | |
69 | March 13 | Buffalo | 4 β 5 | Pittsburgh | SO | Miller | 17,132 | 44β19β6 | 94 |
70 | March 15 | Buffalo | 5 β 3 | Florida | Conklin | 18,111 | 45β19β6 | 96 | |
71 | March 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Tampa Bay | Miller | 21,264 | 46β19β6 | 98 | |
72 | March 18 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Atlanta | OT | Miller | 18,602 | 46β19β7 | 99 |
73 | March 21 | Washington | 2 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 47β19β7 | 101 | |
74 | March 23 | Toronto | 4 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 48β19β7 | 103 | |
75 | March 24 | Buffalo | 1 β 4 | Toronto | Miller | 19,571 | 48β20β7 | 103 | |
76 | March 28 | New Jersey | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 49β20β7 | 105 | |
77 | March 30 | NY Islanders | 4 β 6 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 50β20β7 | 107 | |
78 | March 31 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Montreal | Conklin | 21,273 | 50β21β7 | 107 |
Record for Month 3β1β0 (Home 1β0β0 Away 2β1β0)
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
79 | April 3 | Buffalo | 4 β 1 | Pittsburgh | Miller | 17,132 | 51β21β7 | 109 | |
80 | April 5 | Boston | 2 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | 52β21β7 | 111 | |
81 | April 7 | Buffalo | 2 β 0 | Washington | Miller | 18,277 | 53β21β7 | 113 | |
82 | April 8 | Buffalo | 3 β 4 | Philadelphia | Conklin | 19,027 | 53β22β7 | 113 |
The Sabres earned the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of finishing with the highest point total in the conference.
The Sabres faced the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | April 12 | NY Islanders | 1 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 1β0 | |
2 | April 14 | NY Islanders | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Series tied 1β1 | |
3 | April 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | NY Islanders | Miller | 16,234 | Sabres lead 2β1 | |
4 | April 18 | Buffalo | 4 β 2 | NY Islanders | Miller | 16,234 | Sabres lead 3β1 | |
5 | April 20 | NY Islanders | 3 β 4 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres win 4β1 |
The Sabres faced the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. The Rangers advanced by sweeping the Atlanta Thrashers, the number three seed, in the first round.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | April 25 | NY Rangers | 2 β 5 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 1β0 | |
2 | April 27 | NY Rangers | 2 β 3 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 2β0 | |
3 | April 29 | Buffalo | 1 β 2 | NY Rangers | 2OT | Miller | 18,200 | Sabres lead 2β1 |
4 | May 1 | Buffalo | 1 β 2 | NY Rangers | Miller | 18,200 | Series tied 2β2 | |
5 | May 4 | NY Rangers | 1 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | Sabres lead 3β2 |
6 | May 6 | Buffalo | 5 β 4 | NY Rangers | Miller | 18,200 | Sabres win 4β2 |
The Sabres faced their division rivals, the Ottawa Senators, in the Eastern Conference finals. The Senators advanced by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and the New Jersey Devils in the second. The Sabres lost the series, four games to one.
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series |
1 | May 10 | Ottawa | 5 β 2 | Buffalo | Miller | 18,690 | Senators lead 1β0 | |
2 | May 12 | Ottawa | 4 β 3 | Buffalo | 2OT | Miller | 18,690 | Senators lead 2β0 |
3 | May 14 | Buffalo | 0 β 1 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,171 | Senators lead 3β0 | |
4 | May 16 | Buffalo | 3 β 2 | Ottawa | Miller | 20,294 | Senators lead 3β1 | |
5 | May 19 | Ottawa | 3 β 2 | Buffalo | OT | Miller | 18,690 | Senators win 4β1 |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | # | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
Daniel Briere | 48 | 81 | 32 | 63 | 95 | +17 | 89 | 16 | 3 | 12 | 15 | +3 | 16 | ||
Thomas Vanek | 26 | 82 | 43 | 41 | 84 | +47 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 10 | +2 | 10 | ||
Chris Drury | 23 | 77 | 37 | 32 | 69 | +1 | 30 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 13 | +3 | 2 | ||
Jason Pominville | 29 | 82 | 34 | 34 | 68 | +25 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 10 | +2 | 0 | ||
Derek Roy | 9 | 75 | 21 | 42 | 63 | +37 | 60 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 7 | +3 | 14 | ||
Maxim Afinogenov | 61 | 56 | 23 | 38 | 61 | +19 | 66 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 9 | +3 | 6 | ||
Jochen Hecht | 55 | 76 | 19 | 37 | 56 | +19 | 39 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 5 | +2 | 10 | ||
Brian Campbell | 51 | 82 | 6 | 42 | 48 | +28 | 35 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 14 | ||
Ales Kotalik | 12 | 66 | 16 | 22 | 38 | -5 | 46 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 8 | ||
Dmitri Kalinin | 45 | 82 | 7 | 22 | 29 | +19 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +9 | 14 | ||
Teppo Numminen | 27 | 79 | 2 | 27 | 29 | +17 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +10 | 4 | ||
Drew Stafford | 21 | 41 | 13 | 14 | 27 | +5 | 33 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +3 | 4 | ||
Nathan Paetsch | 38 | 63 | 2 | 22 | 24 | +10 | 50 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Paul Gaustad | 28 | 54 | 9 | 13 | 22 | +11 | 74 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 2 | ||
Jaroslav Spacek | 6 | 65 | 5 | 16 | 21 | +20 | 62 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 10 | ||
Toni Lydman | 5 | 67 | 2 | 17 | 19 | +10 | 55 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -5 | 14 | ||
Henrik Tallinder | 10 | 47 | 4 | 10 | 14 | +19 | 34 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 10 | ||
Jiri Novotny* | 13 | 50 | 6 | 7 | 13 | -2 | 26 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Adam Mair | 22 | 82 | 2 | 9 | 11 | -1 | 128 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 5 | +5 | 10 | ||
Daniel Paille | 20 | 29 | 3 | 8 | 11 | +5 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Dainius Zubrus* | 15 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -3 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 8 | +1 | 8 | ||
Clarke MacArthur | 41 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 7 | +4 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Michael Ryan | 37 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -8 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Andrew Peters | 76 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 125 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Michael Funk | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Patrick Kaleta | 36 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +3 | 21 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ryan Miller | 30 | 63 | 0 | 2 | 2 | N/A | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 2 | ||
Tim Connolly | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 9 | +6 | 4 | ||
Mark Mancari | 25 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Andrej Sekera | 44 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Mike Card | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ty Conklin* | 35 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Martin Biron* | 43 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
Thomas Vanek finished the season with the best plus/minus rating in the entire NHL with a +47.
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = OvertimelLosses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | # | GP | Min | W | L | OTL | GA | SO | SV% | GAA | GP | Min | W | L | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA | ||
Ryan Miller | 30 | 63 | 3692 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 168 | 2 | .911 | 2.73 | 16 | 1029 | 9 | 7 | 38 | 0 | .922 | 2.22 | ||
Martin Biron* | 43 | 19 | 1066 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 54 | 0 | .899 | 3.04 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
Ty Conklin* | 35 | 5 | 227 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | .892 | 3.43 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
July 10, 2006 | To
Edmonton Oilers Jan Hejda |
To
Buffalo Sabres Seventh-round pick in 2007 |
July 14, 2006 | To
Vancouver Canucks Taylor Pyatt |
To
Buffalo Sabres Fourth-round pick in 2007 |
February 27, 2007 | To
Philadelphia Flyers Martin Biron |
To
Buffalo Sabres Second-round pick in 2007 |
February 27, 2007 | To
Columbus Blue Jackets Fifth-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Ty Conklin |
February 27, 2007 | To
Washington Capitals Jiri Novotny First-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Dainius Zubrus Timo Helbling |
February 27, 2007 | To
Nashville Predators Fourth-round pick in 2007 |
To
Buffalo Sabres Mikko Lehtonen |
Player | Former team |
D Jaroslav Spacek | Edmonton Oilers |
Player | New team | Date |
F Chris Thorburn | Pittsburgh Penguins | October 3 |
Buffalo's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. [18] The Sabres had the 24th overall draft pick for their success in the 2005β06 NHL season.
Round | # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team (league) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Dennis Persson (D) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres | VIK VΓ€sterΓ₯s HK ( Allsvenskan) |
2 | 46 | Jhonas Enroth (G) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres (from Vancouver) | SΓΆdertΓ€lje SK ( Elitserien) |
2 | 57 | Mike Weber (D) | United States | Buffalo Sabres | Windsor Spitfires ( OHL) |
4 | 117 | Felix Schutz (C) | Germany | Buffalo Sabres | Saint John Sea Dogs ( QMJHL) |
5 | 147 | Alex Biega (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Salisbury School ( USHS-CN) |
7 | 207 | Benjamin Breault (C) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
The Rochester Americans were the Buffalo Sabres' farm team during the 2006β07 season.