1974–75 Buffalo Sabres season
Encyclopedia
The 1974–75 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' fifth
season
in the National Hockey League
(NHL). The Sabres finished in a tie for the best record in the NHL in the 1974–75 regular season after a disappointing 1974 that saw the 1973–74 team
fail to return to the NHL playoffs as they had the year before. Buffalo advanced to the Stanley Cup
finals for the first time in team history to play against the rough Philadelphia Flyers
(who had been recently nickname
d the "Broad Street Bullies"), a series which included the legendary Fog Game (game three of the series). The Sabres lost the series 4–2.
The season marked the Sabres' second NHL playoffs appearance. The season was the first under the tenure of Floyd Smith
and the team's first in the newly created Adams Division
in the NHL's Prince of Wales Conference.
Sabres players earned numerous accolades. Don Luce
won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
. Rick Martin
, Rene Robert
, Jerry Korab
and Luce were all selected to the 1975 NHL All-Star Game. Martin was a first team NHL All-Star Team
selection at left wing, while Robert was a second team selection at right wing. The French Connection (Martin, Robert and Gilbert Perreault
) were all among the league leaders in important scoring statistics.
was lost to the World Hockey Association
following the 1973–74 season
. During the 25-round May 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
that was held by conference call
, the team participated in the first twelve rounds of the draft. Although several of their selections eventually played in the NHL, the Sabres only drafted three players that played for the team that year. The Sabres acquired defenseman Lee Fogolin
(1st round, 11th overall), right winger Danny Gare
(2nd round, 29th overall) and defenseman Paul McIntosh
(4th round, 65th overall) in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
. They had acquired left winger Morris Titanic
in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
(1st round, 12th overall) and he was called up from the team's American Hockey League
minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears
during the season. In addition, the Sabres drafted Taro Tsujimoto
with the 183rd overall pick.
Prior to the season, the team had lost right winger Ron Busniuk
to the Detroit Red Wings
in the June 10, 1974 NHL Intra-League Draft. Buffalo lost right winger Steve Atkinson
and center Randy Wyrozub
to the Washington Capitals
in the June 12, 1974 NHL Expansion Draft
. The team also lost defenseman Paul Terbenche
to the Kansas City Scouts
in the same draft.
On October 14, 1974, The Sabres acquired 1974 All-Star defenseman Jocelyn Guevremont
and forward Bryan McSheffrey
from the Vancouver Canucks
in exchange for left winger Gerry Meehan
and defenseman Mike Robitaille
. On January 27, 1975 Buffalo acquired left winger Fred Stanfield
from the Minnesota North Stars
for right winger Norm Gratton
and Buffalo's 3rd round choice in 1976 NHL Amateur Draft
. The veteran Stanfield had finished in the top ten in the league four times in assists before being acquired by the Sabres. The Sabres acquired the NHL rights to goaltender Gerry Desjardins
from the New York Islanders
for defenseman Garry Lariviere
on February 19, 1975.
In May, after the season ended, left winger Rick Dudley
, who later coached the Sabres for three seasons, signed to play in the WHA. After 11 seasons in the NHL, 1974–75 was the final one for right winger Larry Mickey
before his retirement.
The Sabres returned after a season of injury and tragedy in which their captain
Tim Horton
died in an automobile accident. The team also seemed to have mended an apparent preseason feud between Perreault and Martin. On October 10, 1974 in the season-opening game, Danny Gare set the tone for the new season by scoring a goal
18 seconds into the first game of his career. Perreault added a hat trick
and two assists
in the 9–5 victory over the Boston Bruins
. After starting the season 3–3–1, the Sabres had an 18–1–3 hot streak between October 26 and December 8, 1974 to move to a 21–4–4 record. By the time they reached 7–3–1 following a November 3 victory over the New York Rangers
, they had taken over the Adams Division lead. The streak included two unbeaten stretches of at least 10 games. They went 9–0–1 on a streak that extended until November 14 with a win against the Minnesota North Stars
. The penultimate win of the streak was the Sabres' first ever win at the Montreal Forum
on November 13.
After a November 16, loss to the Bruins, they started an 9–0–2 streak on November 17 against the Atlanta Flames
. In the third game of this streak, which was also against the Flames, they made a comeback from two separate three-goal deficits to tie the game. The other tie during the streak was also a comeback. By the end of the two unbeaten streaks and before the 30-game mark, the Sabres had the best record in the NHL, the league's leading scorer in Perreault, three 20-goal scorers among the French Connection and the leading rookie scorer in the league in Gare. Martin had the second four-goal game of his career in a December 3 5–3 victory against the Washington Capitals
on the road. Perreault had three goals and an assist in the December 5 9–2 victory against the Washington Capitals
at home. Then, Martin was lost with a recurring thumb injury. Following Martin's injury, the Sabres eleven-game unbeaten streak came to an end, and the team had two different three-game stretches without a win that started in December.
January–February
The team posted a season high six-game win streak between January 12, 1975 – January 25, 1975. The streak culminated in a second win against the Montreal Canadiens
on the road. After a February 1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers
, the Sabres went undefeated for the rest of the month. The team had a season-high 12-game unbeaten streak between February 2, 1975 – February 27, 1975. During that streak, the team went 7–0–5. The 4–4 February 16 tie with the St. Louis Blues
clinched a playoff spot for the Sabres. The February 18 3–2 victory over the New York Islanders
at the Nassau Coliseum was only the second loss of the season for the Islanders at home. The February 20 6–6 tie against the Flyers, in which the Sabres lost several leads, extended the Flyers unbeaten streak against the Sabres to nine. The final game of the streak was a 5–0 shutout
victory over the Los Angeles Kings
, who had handed the Sabres three of their eleven defeats prior to that point in the season.
March–April
At the beginning of March, Desjardins quit the Baltimore Blades of the World Hockey Association
to join the Sabres. Desjardins was frustrated at not getting paid when attendance was sparse. On March 16 against the Toronto Maple Leafs
, Martin dislocated his thumb during a fight. This necessitated that he wear a cast. Desjardins made his first appearance in a March 20 6–3 victory over the New York Rangers
. In their last win of the month, the Sabres clinched the division title on March 23 with a 9–4 victory over the California Golden Seals
. Rookie defenseman Hajt was injured with a broken bone in his foot during a 5–1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on March 26. The Sabres would lose the next two games for the season's only three-game losing streak. The Sabres ended the season by winning all three regular season games in April. The Sabres did not clinch the Prince of Wales Conference until winning the final game of the season against the Maple Leafs.
The season was the first of three full seasons coached by Floyd Smith, who had coached one game during the 1971–72 season
. Smith had played for the Sabres during their first two seasons. The team played its home games at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
. Two members of the team later coached the Sabres: Dudley and Jim Schoenfeld
.
(39 goals and 57 assists). Martin also only played 68 games and finished third in goals (52) and tenth in points (95). Martin's 21 power play
goals was second in the league. Robert was seventh in points (100), tenth in goals (40) and tenth in assists (60) in 74 games. Luce's 8 shorthanded
goals was second and Craig Ramsay
had 7, which was third. Other statistical leaders included Luce who had a 61 plus/minus
, which ranked fourth and Peter McNab who led the league in shooting percentage.
Over the course of the season, the team scored a total of 354 goals, which ranked second in the 18 team league and its 49–16–15 record ranked it first in the league. The team used several goaltender
s. Although Gary Bromley
led the team with 26 wins in the regular season, and Roger Crozier
was second with 17 wins, the team was led in the post season by Desjardins who recorded 7 of the team's 10 post season victories.
The following are the season statistics for the Sabres.
Note 1: A bench minor is when the team is penalized for a minor infraction that is not attributed to any individual player.
in the first round of the playoffs and then met the first round victor Chicago Black Hawks
in the Quarter-Finals. In the first game of the series, the Sabres were the beneficiaries of an 18–2 penalty minutes differential and won 4–1. Although the Black Hawks scored in the first minute of game two, the Dudley scored a pair of goals on the way to a 3–1 Sabres victory. In game three, the Black Hawks took a one goal lead four times and the Sabres tied the score each time, which led to sudden death overtime in which Chicago came out on top. The Sabres scored five times in the third period to post a 6–2 victory in game 4. The Sabres won the series 4–1, with Robert scoring the series clinching goal after getting into fisticuffs with Pit Martin
and third man Phil Russell (who got ejected) earlier in the clinching game.
surpassed his brother Maurice Richard
with his 127th Stanley Cup playoff point. Following their strong 7–0 game three performance, the Canadiens handily won game four at home by an 8–2 margin. The game was marked by a bench clearing incident when Doug Risebrough
and Gare squared off. Bill Hajt
got ejected as third man in and Larry Robinson
who took on Hajt was also ejected. The Sabres surrendered an early 3–1 lead, but won in overtime of game five on Robert goal. The Sabres scored three goals in the first period of game six on their way to a series-clinching 4–3 victory. They led 3–1 after one period and added one in the second before withstanding a third period two-goal rally by Montreal.
who sang "God Bless America
" before home games at The Spectrum. The Flyers had a 43–3–1 record following her pregame performances in lieu of the traditional "Star Spangled Banner". In addition, the Sabres had never won a game against the Flyers in Philadelphia in their short five-year franchise history, had never beaten Flyer starting goalie Bernie Parent
, and entered the series on a 13-game streak against the Flyers without a win.
Although the Sabres held the Flyers to two shots in the first period of game one, eight in the second, and were the beneficiaries of a 1:04 two-man advantage at one point, the game remained scoreless until the third period when the Flyers connected four times in a 4–1 victory. In game two, the Sabres were held to 19 shots on goal with none coming after Bobby Clarke
scored at the 6:43 mark of the third period.
Due to unusual heat in Buffalo in May 1975, portions of game three, which is known as "The Fog Game", were played in heavy fog. The game was stopped 12 times due to the conditions. Buffalo goalie Desjardins gave up three first period goals, and Crozier started the second period. After having surrendered goals on his first two shots faced and three of his first six, Desjardins removed himself from the game. The Sabres recovered from the three-goal deficit on two goals 17 seconds apart by Gare and Martin. After a goal by Luce netted the score, Reggie Leach
gave the flyers the lead again. Bill Hajt
scored his first career playoff goal to tie the score. Robert scored the game winner in overtime with a goal that Flyer goalie Bernie Parent
did not see until it was too late. The game was the longest NHL overtime game in over four years. Players, officials, and the puck were invisible to many spectators. During a face-off and through the fog, Sabres center Jim Lorentz
spotted a bat
flying across the rink, raised his stick, and killed it. Many superstitious Buffalo fans considered this to be an "Evil Omen
," pertaining to the result of the series. It was the only time that any player killed an animal during an NHL game. This was one of three playoff appearances for Crozier. Desjardins surrendered a goal on the third Flyer shot in game four, but he stayed in the game for a 4–2 victory. In game four, the unseasonable temperature only caused the play to be stopped twice (with 8:08 and 4:44 remaining) as five pairs of arena employees skated around the ice with bed sheets to clear the haze.
By game five of the Finals Dave Schultz had claimed both the single-season regular season penalty minutes record and the post-season record. However, he contributed his first two goals of the playoffs in a 5–2 win to help the Flyers take a 3–2 lead in the series. It was Schultz' first two-goal performance of the season and his first goal since March 9.
In the sixth game Conn Smythe Trophy
MVP Bernie Parent
shut out the Sabres 2–0 to clinch the series four games to two. Crozier held the Flyers scoreless for the first two periods of the final game.
Buffalo Sabres seasons
This is a list of seasons completed by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. This list documents the records and playoff results for all seasons the Sabres have completed in the NHL since their inception in 1970....
season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). The Sabres finished in a tie for the best record in the NHL in the 1974–75 regular season after a disappointing 1974 that saw the 1973–74 team
1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' fourth season in the National Hockey League.-NHL Draft:-Death of Tim Horton:Early on the morning of February 21, 1974, while driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto to Buffalo in his white De Tomaso Pantera sports car, , Horton was involved...
fail to return to the NHL playoffs as they had the year before. Buffalo advanced to the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals for the first time in team history to play against the rough Philadelphia Flyers
1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions....
(who had been recently nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d the "Broad Street Bullies"), a series which included the legendary Fog Game (game three of the series). The Sabres lost the series 4–2.
The season marked the Sabres' second NHL playoffs appearance. The season was the first under the tenure of Floyd Smith
Floyd Smith
Ronald Floyd Smith was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres and who coached for 4 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Buffalo Sabres...
and the team's first in the newly created Adams Division
Adams Division
The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins...
in the NHL's Prince of Wales Conference.
Sabres players earned numerous accolades. Don Luce
Don Luce
Donald Harold Luce is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres from 1969 to 1982...
won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
. Rick Martin
Rick Martin
Richard Lionel Martin was a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings for 11 seasons between 1971 and 1982...
, Rene Robert
Rene Robert
René Paul Robert is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played 12 seasons in the NHL between 1970 and 1982. Robert was selected to 2 National Hockey League All-Star Games and was selected as the Second NHL All-Star Team right wing in 1974–75.Robert played 744 career NHL games,...
, Jerry Korab
Jerry Korab
Jerry Joseph Korab is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. A defenseman, he played in the National Hockey League from 1971 to 1985....
and Luce were all selected to the 1975 NHL All-Star Game. Martin was a first team NHL All-Star Team
NHL All-Star Team
The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
selection at left wing, while Robert was a second team selection at right wing. The French Connection (Martin, Robert and Gilbert Perreault
Gilbert Perreault
Gilbert Perreault is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for seventeen seasons with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. He was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Known for his ability to stickhandle in close quarters, he was regarded as one of the...
) were all among the league leaders in important scoring statistics.
Transactions
Goaltender Dave DrydenDave Dryden
David Murray "Sod" Dryden is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Dave Dryden serves the distinction of creating the modern day goaltending mask consisting of a fiberglass mask with a cage...
was lost to the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
following the 1973–74 season
1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' fourth season in the National Hockey League.-NHL Draft:-Death of Tim Horton:Early on the morning of February 21, 1974, while driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto to Buffalo in his white De Tomaso Pantera sports car, , Horton was involved...
. During the 25-round May 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
1974 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
that was held by conference call
Conference call
A conference call is a telephone call in which the calling party wishes to have more than one called party listen in to the audio portion of the call. The conference calls may be designed to allow the called party to participate during the call, or the call may be set up so that the called party...
, the team participated in the first twelve rounds of the draft. Although several of their selections eventually played in the NHL, the Sabres only drafted three players that played for the team that year. The Sabres acquired defenseman Lee Fogolin
Lee Fogolin
Lee Joseph Fogolin , is a retired defenseman who played in the National Hockey League...
(1st round, 11th overall), right winger Danny Gare
Danny Gare
Daniel Mirl Gare is a retired National Hockey League player, most notably of the Buffalo Sabres. During a 14-year professional career, Gare also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. He was a two-time All-Star right winger who twice scored 50 goals for the Buffalo Sabres,...
(2nd round, 29th overall) and defenseman Paul McIntosh
Paul McIntosh
Paul McIntosh is a former professional ice hockey player who played 48 games for the Buffalo Sabres in the mid 1970s. After his retirement he coached the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in the early 1980s, and also served as the team's General Manager for much of the 1990s. He won CHL...
(4th round, 65th overall) in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
1974 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
. They had acquired left winger Morris Titanic
Morris Titanic
Morris S. Titanic is a retired former National Hockey League ice hockey player. He was selected 12th overall in the 1973 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres...
in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
1973 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
(1st round, 12th overall) and he was called up from the team's American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
during the season. In addition, the Sabres drafted Taro Tsujimoto
Taro Tsujimoto
Taro Tsujimoto is an imaginary ice hockey player who was legally drafted by the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres 183rd overall in the 11th round of the 1974 NHL Entry Draft....
with the 183rd overall pick.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Lee Fogolin Lee Fogolin Lee Joseph Fogolin , is a retired defenseman who played in the National Hockey League... (D) |
Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League... (OHA) |
|
| 2 | 29 | Danny Gare Danny Gare Daniel Mirl Gare is a retired National Hockey League player, most notably of the Buffalo Sabres. During a 14-year professional career, Gare also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. He was a two-time All-Star right winger who twice scored 50 goals for the Buffalo Sabres,... (RW) |
Calgary Centennials Calgary Centennials Calgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977... (WCJHL) |
|
| 4 | 65 | Paul McIntosh Paul McIntosh Paul McIntosh is a former professional ice hockey player who played 48 games for the Buffalo Sabres in the mid 1970s. After his retirement he coached the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in the early 1980s, and also served as the team's General Manager for much of the 1990s. He won CHL... (D) |
Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:... (OHA) |
|
Prior to the season, the team had lost right winger Ron Busniuk
Ron Busniuk
Ronald Edward Busniuk , is a Canadian hockey player. He played NCAA hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was an All-American his senior year. After graduation, he played in the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs and the Cincinnati Swords. He took First Team AHL All-Star honors...
to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the June 10, 1974 NHL Intra-League Draft. Buffalo lost right winger Steve Atkinson
Steve Atkinson
Stephen John "The Snail" Atkinson was a Canadian ice hockey player who played the positions of center and right wing....
and center Randy Wyrozub
Randy Wyrozub
William Randall Wyrozub is a former professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the fourth round, 43rd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. He played 100 games in the National Hockey League with the Sabres, scoring eight goals and adding ten assists...
to the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
in the June 12, 1974 NHL Expansion Draft
1974 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1974 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 12, 1974. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two expansion teams for the 1974–75 season, the Kansas City Scouts and the Washington Capitals.-Draft desults:-See also:...
. The team also lost defenseman Paul Terbenche
Paul Terbenche
Paul Frederick Terbenche is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks and Buffalo Sabres, as well as in the World Hockey Association with the Vancouver Blazers, Calgary Cowboys, Birmingham Bulls, Houston Aeros, and Winnipeg...
to the Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
in the same draft.
On October 14, 1974, The Sabres acquired 1974 All-Star defenseman Jocelyn Guevremont
Jocelyn Guevremont
Jocelyn Marcel Guevremont is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played nine season in the National Hockey League...
and forward Bryan McSheffrey
Bryan McSheffrey
Bryan Gerald McSheffrey is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted in the second round, 19th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. He played in the National Hockey League with the Canucks and Buffalo Sabres.In his NHL career, McSheffrey appeared in 90...
from the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in exchange for left winger Gerry Meehan
Gerry Meehan
Gerard Marcus Meehan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and the former general manager and Senior Vice President of the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...
and defenseman Mike Robitaille
Mike Robitaille
Michael James David Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks...
. On January 27, 1975 Buffalo acquired left winger Fred Stanfield
Fred Stanfield
Frederic William Stanfield is a former professional ice hockey left winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1964 until 1978.Stanfield played 914 career NHL games, scoring 211 goals and 405 assists for 616 points...
from the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
for right winger Norm Gratton
Norm Gratton
Normand Lionel Gratton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He played six seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota North Stars. He played 201 games in the NHL, scoring 39 goals and 44 assists...
and Buffalo's 3rd round choice in 1976 NHL Amateur Draft
1976 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec on June 1, 1976. It is notable as featuring one of the weakest first rounds in draft history, as only two players played more than 450 career NHL games. In 2002, Federko was elected into the Hockey Hall-of-Fame after...
. The veteran Stanfield had finished in the top ten in the league four times in assists before being acquired by the Sabres. The Sabres acquired the NHL rights to goaltender Gerry Desjardins
Gerry Desjardins
Gerard Ferdinand Desjardins is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, and also played one season in the World Hockey Association.- References :...
from the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for defenseman Garry Lariviere
Garry Lariviere
Garry Lariviere is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Lariviere started his National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques in 1979. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers. He left the NHL after the 1983 season. He played 3 more years in the AHL for the St...
on February 19, 1975.
In May, after the season ended, left winger Rick Dudley
Rick Dudley
Richard Clarence Dudley is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. Dudley was previously the general manager of several hockey teams. Dudley played in the World Hockey Association and in the National Hockey League. Dudley has also served as a head coach in the National...
, who later coached the Sabres for three seasons, signed to play in the WHA. After 11 seasons in the NHL, 1974–75 was the final one for right winger Larry Mickey
Larry Mickey
Robert Larry Mickey was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres...
before his retirement.
Regular season
October–DecemberThe Sabres returned after a season of injury and tragedy in which their captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
Tim Horton
Tim Horton
Myles Gilbert "Tim" Horton was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in 24 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Tim Hortons. He died in an...
died in an automobile accident. The team also seemed to have mended an apparent preseason feud between Perreault and Martin. On October 10, 1974 in the season-opening game, Danny Gare set the tone for the new season by scoring a goal
Goal (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
18 seconds into the first game of his career. Perreault added a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
and two assists
Assist (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
in the 9–5 victory over the Boston Bruins
1974–75 Boston Bruins season
The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:...
. After starting the season 3–3–1, the Sabres had an 18–1–3 hot streak between October 26 and December 8, 1974 to move to a 21–4–4 record. By the time they reached 7–3–1 following a November 3 victory over the New York Rangers
1974–75 New York Rangers season
The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points...
, they had taken over the Adams Division lead. The streak included two unbeaten stretches of at least 10 games. They went 9–0–1 on a streak that extended until November 14 with a win against the Minnesota North Stars
1974–75 Minnesota North Stars season
-Game log:-External links:...
. The penultimate win of the streak was the Sabres' first ever win at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
on November 13.
After a November 16, loss to the Bruins, they started an 9–0–2 streak on November 17 against the Atlanta Flames
1974–75 Atlanta Flames season
The 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season was the third season for the franchise.-Game log:-Skaters:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta...
. In the third game of this streak, which was also against the Flames, they made a comeback from two separate three-goal deficits to tie the game. The other tie during the streak was also a comeback. By the end of the two unbeaten streaks and before the 30-game mark, the Sabres had the best record in the NHL, the league's leading scorer in Perreault, three 20-goal scorers among the French Connection and the leading rookie scorer in the league in Gare. Martin had the second four-goal game of his career in a December 3 5–3 victory against the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
on the road. Perreault had three goals and an assist in the December 5 9–2 victory against the Washington Capitals
1974–75 Washington Capitals season
The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets...
at home. Then, Martin was lost with a recurring thumb injury. Following Martin's injury, the Sabres eleven-game unbeaten streak came to an end, and the team had two different three-game stretches without a win that started in December.
January–February
The team posted a season high six-game win streak between January 12, 1975 – January 25, 1975. The streak culminated in a second win against the Montreal Canadiens
1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:...
on the road. After a February 1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers
1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions....
, the Sabres went undefeated for the rest of the month. The team had a season-high 12-game unbeaten streak between February 2, 1975 – February 27, 1975. During that streak, the team went 7–0–5. The 4–4 February 16 tie with the St. Louis Blues
1974–75 St. Louis Blues season
-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-References:*...
clinched a playoff spot for the Sabres. The February 18 3–2 victory over the New York Islanders
1974–75 New York Islanders season
The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs...
at the Nassau Coliseum was only the second loss of the season for the Islanders at home. The February 20 6–6 tie against the Flyers, in which the Sabres lost several leads, extended the Flyers unbeaten streak against the Sabres to nine. The final game of the streak was a 5–0 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
victory over the Los Angeles Kings
1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season
-Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history...
, who had handed the Sabres three of their eleven defeats prior to that point in the season.
March–April
At the beginning of March, Desjardins quit the Baltimore Blades of the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
to join the Sabres. Desjardins was frustrated at not getting paid when attendance was sparse. On March 16 against the Toronto Maple Leafs
1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season
The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:...
, Martin dislocated his thumb during a fight. This necessitated that he wear a cast. Desjardins made his first appearance in a March 20 6–3 victory over the New York Rangers
1974–75 New York Rangers season
The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points...
. In their last win of the month, the Sabres clinched the division title on March 23 with a 9–4 victory over the California Golden Seals
1974–75 California Golden Seals season
The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new...
. Rookie defenseman Hajt was injured with a broken bone in his foot during a 5–1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on March 26. The Sabres would lose the next two games for the season's only three-game losing streak. The Sabres ended the season by winning all three regular season games in April. The Sabres did not clinch the Prince of Wales Conference until winning the final game of the season against the Maple Leafs.
The season was the first of three full seasons coached by Floyd Smith, who had coached one game during the 1971–72 season
1971–72 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1971–72 Buffalo Sabres season was the Buffalo Sabres' second season of operation in the National Hockey League .-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-References:...
. Smith had played for the Sabres during their first two seasons. The team played its home games at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium was an indoor arena in downtown Buffalo, New York. It hosted the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL, the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, the Buffalo Braves of the NBA, the Buffalo Stallions of MSL, the Buffalo Bandits of MILL, the Buffalo Blizzard of the second NPSL and the Buffalo...
. Two members of the team later coached the Sabres: Dudley and Jim Schoenfeld
Jim Schoenfeld
James Grant Schoenfeld is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is currently the assistant general manager with the New York Rangers, as well as an interim assistant coach...
.
Results
The following is a Sabres game log.| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | W | October 10, 1974 | 9–5 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
1–0–0 |
| 2 | L | October 12, 1974 | 1–6 | @ Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions.... ) |
1–1–0 |
| 3 | L | October 13, 1974 | 1–4 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season -Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history... ) |
1–2–0 |
| 4 | W | October 17, 1974 | 6–1 | California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
2–2–0 |
| 5 | W | October 18, 1974 | 2–1 | @ Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... (1974–75 1974–75 Minnesota North Stars season -Game log:-External links:... ) |
3–2–0 |
| 6 | T | October 20, 1974 | 5–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
3–2–1 |
| 7 | L | October 24, 1974 | 2–7 | @ Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season -Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history... ) |
3–3–1 |
| 8 | W | October 26, 1974 | 2–0 | @ St. Louis Blues (1974–75 1974–75 St. Louis Blues season -NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-References:*... ) |
4–3–1 |
| 9 | W | October 27, 1974 | 3–2 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... (1974–75 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:... ) |
5–3–1 |
| 10 | W | November 2, 1974 | 6–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
6–3–1 |
| 11 | W | November 3, 1974 | 4–3 | @ New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Rangers season The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points... ) |
7–3–1 |
| 12 | T | November 5, 1974 | 2–2 | @ Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
7–3–2 |
| 13 | W | November 6, 1974 | 6–4 | Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... (1974–75 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season The 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' forty-ninth season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 41-14-23 record in 1973-74, earning 105 points, and finishing in second place in the West Division... ) |
8–3–2 |
| 14 | W | November 9, 1974 | 6–1 | @ Kansas City Scouts Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies... (1974–75 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season The 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season was the first season for the franchise. The NHL completed its first 8-year expansion cycle by adding franchises in Washington and Kansas City. Kansas City was awarded an NHL franchise on June 8, 1972. The city had a hockey history but had been a home to minor... ) |
9–3–2 |
| 15 | W | November 10, 1974 | 8–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... (1974–75 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season The 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Hockey League. It was also the Penguins first season in the Norris division of the Prince of Wales Conference... ) |
10–3–2 |
| 16 | W | November 13, 1974 | 8–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... (1974–75 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:... ) |
11–3–2 |
| 17 | W | November 14, 1974 | 5–3 | Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... (1974–75 1974–75 Minnesota North Stars season -Game log:-External links:... ) |
12–3–2 |
| 18 | L | November 16, 1974 | 5–7 | @ Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
12–4–2 |
| 19 | W | November 17, 1974 | 4–0 | Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... (1974–75 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season The 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season was the third season for the franchise.-Game log:-Skaters:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta... ) |
13–4–2 |
| 20 | W | November 20, 1974 | 7–3 | Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... (1974–75 1974–75 Washington Capitals season The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets... ) |
14–4–2 |
| 21 | T | November 22, 1974 | 4–4 | @ Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... (1974–75 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season The 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season was the third season for the franchise.-Game log:-Skaters:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta... ) |
14–4–3 |
| 22 | W | November 24, 1974 | 6–4 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... (1974–75 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:... ) |
15–4–3 |
| 23 | W | November 27, 1974 | 3–1 | @ Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... (1974–75 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season The 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' forty-ninth season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 41-14-23 record in 1973-74, earning 105 points, and finishing in second place in the West Division... ) |
16–4–3 |
| 24 | W | November 28, 1974 | 5–2 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... (1974–75 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season The 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season was the 49th season for the Detroit franchise. The team finished fourth and missed the playoffs-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
17–4–3 |
| 25 | T | November 30, 1974 | 5–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... (1974–75 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season The 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Hockey League. It was also the Penguins first season in the Norris division of the Prince of Wales Conference... ) |
17–4–4 |
| 26 | W | December 1, 1974 | 6–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... (1974–75 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season The 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Hockey League. It was also the Penguins first season in the Norris division of the Prince of Wales Conference... ) |
18–4–4 |
| 27 | W | December 3, 1974 | 5–3 | @ Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... (1974–75 1974–75 Washington Capitals season The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets... ) |
19–4–4 |
| 28 | W | December 5, 1974 | 9–2 | Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... (1974–75 1974–75 Washington Capitals season The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets... ) |
20–4–4 |
| 29 | W | December 8, 1974 | 5–0 | Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... (1974–75 1974–75 Minnesota North Stars season -Game log:-External links:... ) |
21–4–4 |
| 30 | L | December 12, 1974 | 3–5 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... (1974–75 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season The 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 5th in the NHL. With a realignment of the teams in the NHL, the Canucks left the East Division and joined the newly formed Smythe Division. The Canucks won their first division title under this new alignment, and as a result reached the playoffs... ) |
21–5–4 |
| 31 | L | December 14, 1974 | 2–4 | @ Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... (1974–75 1974–75 Minnesota North Stars season -Game log:-External links:... ) |
21–6–4 |
| 32 | T | December 15, 1974 | 5–5 | California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
21–6–5 |
| 33 | W | December 18, 1974 | 3–2 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Islanders season The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs... ) |
22–6–5 |
| 34 | W | December 22, 1974 | 4–0 | @ Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... (1974–75 1974–75 Washington Capitals season The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets... ) |
23–6–5 |
| 35 | W | December 26, 1974 | 3–1 | Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... (1974–75 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season The 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' forty-ninth season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 41-14-23 record in 1973-74, earning 105 points, and finishing in second place in the West Division... ) |
24–6–5 |
| 36 | L | December 27, 1974 | 5–9 | @ New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Rangers season The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points... ) |
24–7–5 |
| 37 | L | December 29, 1974 | 2–5 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions.... ) |
24–8–5 |
| 38 | T | January 3, 1975 | 2–2 | @ California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
24–8–6 |
| 39 | W | January 5, 1975 | 4–2 | St. Louis Blues (1974–75 1974–75 St. Louis Blues season -NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-References:*... ) |
25–8–6 |
| 40 | L | January 9, 1975 | 2–5 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season -Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history... ) |
25–9–6 |
| 41 | T | January 11, 1975 | 3–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... (1974–75 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season The 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season was the 49th season for the Detroit franchise. The team finished fourth and missed the playoffs-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
25–9–7 |
| 42 | W | January 12, 1975 | 5–1 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... (1974–75 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season The 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 5th in the NHL. With a realignment of the teams in the NHL, the Canucks left the East Division and joined the newly formed Smythe Division. The Canucks won their first division title under this new alignment, and as a result reached the playoffs... ) |
26–9–7 |
| 43 | W | January 15, 1975 | 4–0 | @ California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
27–9–7 |
| 44 | W | January 17, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... (1974–75 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season The 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 5th in the NHL. With a realignment of the teams in the NHL, the Canucks left the East Division and joined the newly formed Smythe Division. The Canucks won their first division title under this new alignment, and as a result reached the playoffs... ) |
28–9–7 |
| 45 | W | January 19, 1975 | 5–0 | Kansas City Scouts Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies... (1974–75 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season The 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season was the first season for the franchise. The NHL completed its first 8-year expansion cycle by adding franchises in Washington and Kansas City. Kansas City was awarded an NHL franchise on June 8, 1972. The city had a hockey history but had been a home to minor... ) |
29–9–7 |
| 46 | W | January 23, 1975 | 5–1 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... (1974–75 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season The 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season was the 49th season for the Detroit franchise. The team finished fourth and missed the playoffs-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
30–9–7 |
| 47 | W | January 25, 1975 | 7–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... (1974–75 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:... ) |
31–9–7 |
| 48 | L | January 26, 1975 | 3–4 | Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... (1974–75 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season The 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season was the third season for the franchise.-Game log:-Skaters:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta... ) |
31–10–7 |
| 49 | W | January 30, 1975 | 6–3 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Rangers season The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points... ) |
32–10–7 |
| 50 | L | February 1, 1975 | 0–6 | @ Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions.... ) |
32–11–7 |
| 51 | W | February 2, 1975 | 8–1 | Kansas City Scouts Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies... (1974–75 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season The 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season was the first season for the franchise. The NHL completed its first 8-year expansion cycle by adding franchises in Washington and Kansas City. Kansas City was awarded an NHL franchise on June 8, 1972. The city had a hockey history but had been a home to minor... ) |
33–11–7 |
| 52 | W | February 4, 1975 | 6–1 | @ Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... (1974–75 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season The 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season was the 49th season for the Detroit franchise. The team finished fourth and missed the playoffs-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
34–11–7 |
| 53 | T | February 6, 1975 | 2–2 | @ New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Islanders season The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs... ) |
34–11–8 |
| 54 | T | February 9, 1975 | 4–4 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... (1974–75 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.-Offseason:... ) |
34–11–9 |
| 55 | T | February 12, 1975 | 3–3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... (1974–75 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season The 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Hockey League. It was also the Penguins first season in the Norris division of the Prince of Wales Conference... ) |
34–11–10 |
| 56 | W | February 13, 1975 | 3–1 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
35–11–10 |
| 57 | T | February 16, 1975 | 4–4 | St. Louis Blues (1974–75 1974–75 St. Louis Blues season -NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-References:*... ) |
35–11–11 |
| 58 | W | February 18, 1975 | 3–2 | @ New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Islanders season The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs... ) |
36–11–11 |
| 59 | T | February 20, 1975 | 6–6 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers eighth season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions.... ) |
36–11–12 |
| 60 | W | February 21, 1975 | 9–4 | @ Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... (1974–75 1974–75 Washington Capitals season The 1974–75 Washington Capitals season was the first in Capitals history. Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974–75 season. The team was owned by Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets... ) |
37–11–12 |
| 61 | W | February 23, 1975 | 4–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
38–11–12 |
| 62 | W | February 27, 1975 | 5–0 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season -Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history... ) |
39–11–12 |
| 63 | L | March 1, 1975 | 2–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... (1974–75 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season The 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings season was the 49th season for the Detroit franchise. The team finished fourth and missed the playoffs-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending... ) |
39–12–12 |
| 64 | T | March 2, 1975 | 3–3 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Islanders season The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs... ) |
39–12–13 |
| 65 | W | March 5, 1975 | 6–3 | @ New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Rangers season The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points... ) |
40–12–13 |
| 66 | T | March 8, 1975 | 3–3 | @ St. Louis Blues (1974–75 1974–75 St. Louis Blues season -NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-References:*... ) |
40–12–14 |
| 67 | W | March 9, 1975 | 8–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... (1974–75 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season The 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Hockey League. It was also the Penguins first season in the Norris division of the Prince of Wales Conference... ) |
41–12–14 |
| 68 | T | March 11, 1975 | 2–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Los Angeles Kings season -Offseason:Defenseman Barry Long jumped to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA.-Regular season:The Kings were coming off their first playoff appearance in 5 years and the season before finished with a .500 record and scored more goals than they allowed for the first time in club history... ) |
41–12–15 |
| 69 | W | March 12, 1975 | 7–2 | @ California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
42–12–15 |
| 70 | L | March 14, 1975 | 1–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... (1974–75 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season The 1974–75 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 5th in the NHL. With a realignment of the teams in the NHL, the Canucks left the East Division and joined the newly formed Smythe Division. The Canucks won their first division title under this new alignment, and as a result reached the playoffs... ) |
42–13–15 |
| 71 | W | March 16, 1975 | 11–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
43–13–15 |
| 72 | W | March 20, 1975 | 6–3 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... (1974–75 1974–75 New York Rangers season The 1974–75 New York Rangers season was the 49th season for the team in the National Hockey League . A league realignment had the Rangers moved into the new Patrick Division within the Campbell Conference, where the team finished 2nd with 88 points... ) |
44–13–15 |
| 73 | W | March 22, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Kansas City Scouts Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies... (1974–75 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season The 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts season was the first season for the franchise. The NHL completed its first 8-year expansion cycle by adding franchises in Washington and Kansas City. Kansas City was awarded an NHL franchise on June 8, 1972. The city had a hockey history but had been a home to minor... ) |
45–13–15 |
| 74 | W | March 23, 1975 | 9–4 | California Golden Seals California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of... (1974–75 1974–75 California Golden Seals season The 1974–75 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' 8th season in the NHL. The team continued to be operated by the league until early 1975, when new local ownership led by Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, was found. The Seals adopted new uniforms this season with new... ) |
46–13–15 |
| 75 | L | March 26, 1975 | 1–5 | @ Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... (1974–75 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season The 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' forty-ninth season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 41-14-23 record in 1973-74, earning 105 points, and finishing in second place in the West Division... ) |
46–14–15 |
| 76 | L | March 28, 1975 | 2–3 | @ Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... (1974–75 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season The 1974–75 Atlanta Flames season was the third season for the franchise.-Game log:-Skaters:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta... ) |
46–15–15 |
| 77 | L | March 30, 1975 | 4–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
46–16–15 |
| 78 | W | April 1, 1975 | 3–1 | @ Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
47–16–15 |
| 79 | W | April 3, 1975 | 4–2 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... (1974–75 1974–75 Boston Bruins season The 1974–75 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 51st season in the NHL.-Game log:g-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Milestones:-Trades:-Free agents:-Claimed from waivers:-Draft picks:... ) |
48–16–15 |
| 80 | W | April 5, 1975 | 4–2 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... (1974–75 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season The 1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the fifty-eighth season of the franchise, forty-eighth season as the Maple Leafs.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending-Transactions:... ) |
49–16–15 |
Player statistics
The French Connection members led the Sabres in scoring by finishing 1-2-3 in both goals and points, although none of them played as many as 75 of the team's 80 games. Perreault's eight game-winning goals was fifth highest in the NHL for the season, although he only played 68 games, he finished ninth in the league in scoring with 96 pointsPoint (ice hockey)
Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
(39 goals and 57 assists). Martin also only played 68 games and finished third in goals (52) and tenth in points (95). Martin's 21 power play
Power play (sport)
"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...
goals was second in the league. Robert was seventh in points (100), tenth in goals (40) and tenth in assists (60) in 74 games. Luce's 8 shorthanded
Shorthanded
Short handed is a term used in ice hockey and refers to having fewer skaters on the ice during play, as a result of a penalty. The player removed from play serves the penalty in the penalty box for a set amount of time proportional to the severity of the infraction...
goals was second and Craig Ramsay
Craig Ramsay
Craig Ramsay is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played in the NHL from 1971 to 1985 and the final head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers.-Playing career:...
had 7, which was third. Other statistical leaders included Luce who had a 61 plus/minus
Plus/minus
Plus–minus is an ice hockey statistic that measures a player's goal differential. With the exclusion of penalty shot goals, when an even-strength or shorthanded goal is scored, the plus–minus statistic is increased by one for those players on the ice for the team scoring the goal; the plus–minus...
, which ranked fourth and Peter McNab who led the league in shooting percentage.
Over the course of the season, the team scored a total of 354 goals, which ranked second in the 18 team league and its 49–16–15 record ranked it first in the league. The team used several goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
s. Although Gary Bromley
Gary Bromley
Gary Bert "Bones" Bromley is a former ice hockey Goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks. He also played in the World Hockey Association with the Calgary Cowboys and Winnipeg Jets.In his NHL career, Bromley played in 136 games and...
led the team with 26 wins in the regular season, and Roger Crozier
Roger Crozier
Roger Allan Crozier was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals....
was second with 17 wins, the team was led in the post season by Desjardins who recorded 7 of the team's 10 post season victories.
The following are the season statistics for the Sabres.
Key
| GP | Games played | Min | Minutes played | GA | Goals against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAA | Goals against average Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
W | Wins | L | Losses |
| T | Ties | Svs | Saves | Pct | Save percentage Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
| EN | Empty net goals against Empty net goal An empty net goal, or colloquially an empty netter , occurs in ice hockey when a team scores a goal into a net with no goaltender present... |
SO | Shutouts | G | Goaltender |
| Pos | Position | RW | Right wing Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
A | Assists Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Defenceman Defenceman (ice hockey) Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring... |
C | Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
P | Points Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
| LW | Left wing Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
G | Goals Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
PIM | Penalty minutes Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
Skaters
| # | Player Name | Acquisition | Birthdate | Age | Pos | GP | G | A | P | PIM | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular-season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
| 25 | RW | ||||||||||||||
| 23 | C | ||||||||||||||
| 23 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| 25 | C | ||||||||||||||
| 25 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| 27 | C | ||||||||||||||
| 23 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| 20 | RW | ||||||||||||||
| 25 | D | ||||||||||||||
| 22 | C | ||||||||||||||
| 24 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| From Minnesota | 30 | LW | |||||||||||||
| From Vancouver | 23 | D | |||||||||||||
| 22 | D | ||||||||||||||
| 21 | D | ||||||||||||||
| 22 | D | ||||||||||||||
| To Minnesota | 23 | LW | |||||||||||||
| 19 | D | ||||||||||||||
| 24 | G | ||||||||||||||
| 30 | RW | ||||||||||||||
| 32 | G | ||||||||||||||
| To Vancouver | 27 | C | |||||||||||||
| To Vancouver | 26 | D | |||||||||||||
| 20 | D | ||||||||||||||
| 20 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| 21 | RW | ||||||||||||||
| 27 | G | ||||||||||||||
| 30 | G | ||||||||||||||
| 21 | LW | ||||||||||||||
| Bench Minor | |||||||||||||||
Note 1: A bench minor is when the team is penalized for a minor infraction that is not attributed to any individual player.
Regular season
| Player Name | GP | Min | GA | GAA | W | L | T | Svs | Pct | EN | SO |
| Roger Crozier | 23 | 1260 | 55 | 2.62 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 518 | 0.904 | 0 | 3 |
| Gerry Desjardins | 9 | 540 | 25 | 2.78 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 239 | 0.905 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Bromley | 50 | 2787 | 144 | 3.10 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 989 | 0.873 | 2 | 4 |
| Norm "Rocky" Farr | 7 | 213 | 14 | 3.94 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 100 | 0.877 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Player Name | GP | Min | GA | GAA | W | L | SO |
| Roger Crozier | 5 | 292 | 14 | 2.88 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Gerry Desjardins | 15 | 760 | 43 | 3.39 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
Schedule and results
The following was the team playoff schedule.| Round | Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | OT |
| Preliminary Round | Bye | ||||||
| Quarter-Finals | Game 1 | 13-Apr-75 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1 | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | |
| Quarter-Finals | Game 2 | 15-Apr-75 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1 | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | |
| Quarter-Finals | Game 3 | 17-Apr-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 5 | (OT) |
| Quarter-Finals | Game 4 | 20-Apr-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2 | |
| Quarter-Finals | Game 5 | 22-Apr-75 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1 | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | |
| Semi-Finals | Game 1 | 27-Apr-75 | Montreal Canadiens | 5 | Buffalo Sabres | 6 | (OT) |
| Semi-Finals | Game 2 | 29-Apr-75 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | |
| Semi-Finals | Game 3 | 1-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 7 | |
| Semi-Finals | Game 4 | 3-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | Montreal Canadiens | 8 | |
| Semi-Finals | Game 5 | 6-May-75 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | Buffalo Sabres | 5 | (OT) |
| Semi-Finals | Game 6 | 8-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 1 | 15-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4 | |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 2 | 18-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 3 | 20-May-75 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4 | Buffalo Sabres | 5 | (OT) |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 4 | 22-May-75 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 5 | 25-May-75 | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 5 | |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Game 6 | 27-May-75 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 0 |
Quarter Finals
The Sabres had a byeBye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
in the first round of the playoffs and then met the first round victor Chicago Black Hawks
1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season
The 1974–75 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' forty-ninth season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 41-14-23 record in 1973-74, earning 105 points, and finishing in second place in the West Division...
in the Quarter-Finals. In the first game of the series, the Sabres were the beneficiaries of an 18–2 penalty minutes differential and won 4–1. Although the Black Hawks scored in the first minute of game two, the Dudley scored a pair of goals on the way to a 3–1 Sabres victory. In game three, the Black Hawks took a one goal lead four times and the Sabres tied the score each time, which led to sudden death overtime in which Chicago came out on top. The Sabres scored five times in the third period to post a 6–2 victory in game 4. The Sabres won the series 4–1, with Robert scoring the series clinching goal after getting into fisticuffs with Pit Martin
Pit Martin
Hubert Jacques "Pit" Martin was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who served as captain for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League from 1975 to 1977...
and third man Phil Russell (who got ejected) earlier in the clinching game.
Semi Finals
The Sabres won the first game with an overtime goal by Gare. In game two, Robert was sidelined with the flu and Dudley was inactive due to a sprained knee, but the checking line of Luce, Ramsay and Gare each scored a goal as the Sabres took a 2–0 lead with a 4–2 victory. In the game, Henri RichardHenri Richard
Joseph Henri Richard is a former professional ice hockey player who played centre with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1955 to 1975...
surpassed his brother Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard
Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50...
with his 127th Stanley Cup playoff point. Following their strong 7–0 game three performance, the Canadiens handily won game four at home by an 8–2 margin. The game was marked by a bench clearing incident when Doug Risebrough
Doug Risebrough
Douglas John Risebrough is a former player, coach, and general manager in the National Hockey League. In his 31 years in the NHL, he has been involved with the Stanley Cup Playoffs 25 times...
and Gare squared off. Bill Hajt
Bill Hajt
William Albert Hajt is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from 1973 until 1987...
got ejected as third man in and Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson
Larry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
who took on Hajt was also ejected. The Sabres surrendered an early 3–1 lead, but won in overtime of game five on Robert goal. The Sabres scored three goals in the first period of game six on their way to a series-clinching 4–3 victory. They led 3–1 after one period and added one in the second before withstanding a third period two-goal rally by Montreal.
Stanley Cup Finals
The Flyers came into the series with their own good luck pre- game singer in the form of Kate SmithKate Smith
Kathryn Elizabeth "Kate" Smith was an American Popular singer, best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". Smith had a radio, television, and recording career spanning five decades, which reached its pinnacle in the 1940s.Smith was born in Greenville, Virginia...
who sang "God Bless America
God Bless America
"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. The later version has notably been recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature song ....
" before home games at The Spectrum. The Flyers had a 43–3–1 record following her pregame performances in lieu of the traditional "Star Spangled Banner". In addition, the Sabres had never won a game against the Flyers in Philadelphia in their short five-year franchise history, had never beaten Flyer starting goalie Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent
Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
, and entered the series on a 13-game streak against the Flyers without a win.
Although the Sabres held the Flyers to two shots in the first period of game one, eight in the second, and were the beneficiaries of a 1:04 two-man advantage at one point, the game remained scoreless until the third period when the Flyers connected four times in a 4–1 victory. In game two, the Sabres were held to 19 shots on goal with none coming after Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke
Robert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
scored at the 6:43 mark of the third period.
Due to unusual heat in Buffalo in May 1975, portions of game three, which is known as "The Fog Game", were played in heavy fog. The game was stopped 12 times due to the conditions. Buffalo goalie Desjardins gave up three first period goals, and Crozier started the second period. After having surrendered goals on his first two shots faced and three of his first six, Desjardins removed himself from the game. The Sabres recovered from the three-goal deficit on two goals 17 seconds apart by Gare and Martin. After a goal by Luce netted the score, Reggie Leach
Reggie Leach
Reginald Joseph Leach is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He is best known for his time in Philadelphia, winning a Stanley Cup with...
gave the flyers the lead again. Bill Hajt
Bill Hajt
William Albert Hajt is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from 1973 until 1987...
scored his first career playoff goal to tie the score. Robert scored the game winner in overtime with a goal that Flyer goalie Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent
Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
did not see until it was too late. The game was the longest NHL overtime game in over four years. Players, officials, and the puck were invisible to many spectators. During a face-off and through the fog, Sabres center Jim Lorentz
Jim Lorentz
James Peter Lorentz, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 1970. He was the color analyst for the Sabres on the...
spotted a bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
flying across the rink, raised his stick, and killed it. Many superstitious Buffalo fans considered this to be an "Evil Omen
Omen
An omen is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change...
," pertaining to the result of the series. It was the only time that any player killed an animal during an NHL game. This was one of three playoff appearances for Crozier. Desjardins surrendered a goal on the third Flyer shot in game four, but he stayed in the game for a 4–2 victory. In game four, the unseasonable temperature only caused the play to be stopped twice (with 8:08 and 4:44 remaining) as five pairs of arena employees skated around the ice with bed sheets to clear the haze.
By game five of the Finals Dave Schultz had claimed both the single-season regular season penalty minutes record and the post-season record. However, he contributed his first two goals of the playoffs in a 5–2 win to help the Flyers take a 3–2 lead in the series. It was Schultz' first two-goal performance of the season and his first goal since March 9.
In the sixth game Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
MVP Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent
Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
shut out the Sabres 2–0 to clinch the series four games to two. Crozier held the Flyers scoreless for the first two periods of the final game.
Awards and records
- Prince of Wales TrophyPrince of Wales TrophyThe Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
- Bill Masterton Memorial TrophyBill Masterton Memorial TrophyThe Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
: Don LuceDon LuceDonald Harold Luce is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres from 1969 to 1982... - Rick MartinRick MartinRichard Lionel Martin was a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings for 11 seasons between 1971 and 1982...
, 1975 NHL All-Star Game, NHL All-Star TeamNHL All-Star TeamThe NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
, Left WingWinger (ice hockey)Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
(1st team) - Rene RobertRene RobertRené Paul Robert is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played 12 seasons in the NHL between 1970 and 1982. Robert was selected to 2 National Hockey League All-Star Games and was selected as the Second NHL All-Star Team right wing in 1974–75.Robert played 744 career NHL games,...
, 1975 NHL All-Star Game, NHL All-Star TeamNHL All-Star TeamThe NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
, Right Wing (2nd team) - Don LuceDon LuceDonald Harold Luce is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres from 1969 to 1982...
1975 NHL All-Star Game - Jerry KorabJerry KorabJerry Joseph Korab is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. A defenseman, he played in the National Hockey League from 1971 to 1985....
1975 NHL All-Star Game - Peter McNab NHL shooting percentage leader (24.4%)
- Club Record, Most Goals For, (354)
External links
- 1974–75 Sabres at Hockeydb.com
- 1974–75 Sabres at Hockey-reference.com