Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: Top 10 best seasons in team history

By Sion Fawkes

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Florida Panthers November 10, 2006 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Florida Panthers November 10, 2006 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – CIRCA 1981: Greg Malone #12 of the Pittsburgh Penguins faces off against J.F. Sauve #21 of the Buffalo Sabers during an NHL Hockey game circa 1981 at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Malone’s playing career went from 1976-87. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1980-81 (Lost in Quarterfinal)

The 1980-81 Buffalo Sabres did not see the same level of success in the regular season that they saw in 1979-80. However, they finished with a record of 39-20-21, good for 99 points. Danny Gare paced the team with 85 points and 46 goals while Gilbert Perreault played in just 56 contests, but still managed 59 points and 20 goals.

Individually, the Sabres were rather modest, with no player winning a major award or enjoying NHL All-Star honors. However, they did have two players earn a trip to the 1981 All-Star Game. Gare and Bill Hajt saw their names called, but only Gare played. Scotty Bowman served as coach of the Wales Conference.

Despite putting up just 99 points that season, the Buffalo Sabres ended up winning the Adams Division. They went on to sweep the Vancouver Canucks in the Preliminary Round of the 1981 Stanley Cup Playoffs before losing four games to one to the Minnesota North Stars.

Overall, it was not the best season on this top ten list. But with a division title and a win over their expansion brethren in the playoffs, the 1980-81 season remains one of the best in franchise history.

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