# 2009–10 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2009–10 Buffalo Sabres season was the 40th season (39th season of play) of the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League. The season saw the Sabres win the Northeast Division title and return to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Ryan Miller won the Vezina Trophy for the first time in his career. The Vezina win was the League-best eight for the Sabres franchise since 1982, when the trophy began being awarded to the NHL's top goaltender. Tyler Myers became the first Sabre to win the Calder Memorial Trophy, for Rookie of the Year, since Tom Barrasso won it in the 1983–84 season.

## Pre-season

2009 Pre-season Game Log: 4–1–1 (Home: 1–0–1; Road: 3–1–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeDecisionAttendanceRecordRecap
1September 17Washington Capitals3-4Buffalo SabresEnroth17,5970-0-1Recap
2September 19Buffalo Sabres3-1Detroit Red WingsMiller15,9241-0-1Recap
3September 21Buffalo Sabres2-1Washington CapitalsLalime18,0752-0-1Recap
4September 23Toronto Maple Leafs2-3Buffalo SabresMiller11,0083-0-1Recap
5September 26Buffalo Sabres2-3Montreal CanadiensMiller21,2733-1-1Recap
6September 27Buffalo Sabres7-6Toronto Maple LeafsLalime18,3884-1-1Recap :

## Regular season
### Divisional standings

Northeast Division :
| | | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | y – Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 235 | 207 | 100 |
| 2 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 44 | 32 | 6 | 225 | 238 | 94 |
| 3 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 39 | 30 | 13 | 206 | 200 | 91 |
| 4 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 39 | 33 | 10 | 217 | 223 | 88 |
| 5 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 30 | 38 | 14 | 214 | 263 | 74 |

### Conference standings

Eastern Conference :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 318 | 233 | 121 |
| 2 | y – New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 222 | 191 | 103 |
| 3 | y – Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 235 | 207 | 100 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 257 | 237 | 101 |
| 5 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 44 | 32 | 6 | 225 | 238 | 94 |
| 6 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 39 | 30 | 13 | 206 | 200 | 91 |
| 7 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 236 | 225 | 88 |
| 8 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 39 | 33 | 10 | 217 | 223 | 88 |
| 8.5 ||||||||||
| 9 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 222 | 218 | 87 |
| 10 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 234 | 256 | 83 |
| 11 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 230 | 256 | 80 |
| 12 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 217 | 260 | 80 |
| 13 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 222 | 264 | 79 |
| 14 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 208 | 244 | 77 |
| 15 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 30 | 38 | 14 | 214 | 267 | 74 |
bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

### Game log

2009–10 Game Log :
October : 8-2-1 (Home: 4-1-1; Road: 4-1-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
1October 3Montreal Canadiens1-2 (OTL)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,6900-0-1
2October 8Phoenix Coyotes2-1MillerHSBC Arena – 18,6901-0-1
3October 10Nashville Predators1-0MillerSommet Center – 14,2092-0-1
4October 13Detroit Red Wings6-2MillerHSBC Arena – 17,4593-0-1
5October 16New York Islanders6-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,6904-0-1
6October 17Atlanta Thrashers2-4LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,6904-1-1
7October 21Florida Panthers5-2MillerBankAtlantic Center – 12,6075-1-1
8October 24Tampa Bay Lightning3-2 (SOW)MillerSt. Pete Times Forum – 15,8046-1-1
9October 28New Jersey Devils4-1MillerPrudential Center – 14,1827-1-1
10October 30Toronto Maple Leafs3-2 (OTW)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,3008-1-1
11October 31New York Islanders0-5MillerNassau Veterans Mem. Coliseum – 8,8898-2-1 :
November: 7-5-1 (Home: 4-2-1; Road: 3-3-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
12November 4New York Islanders3-0MillerHSBC Arena – 17,6269-2-1
13November 6Philadelphia Flyers2-5MillerHSBC Arena – 18,5259-3-1
14November 7Boston Bruins2-4EnrothTD Garden – 17,5659-4-1
15November 11Edmonton Oilers3-1MillerHSBC Arena – 17,79710-4-1
16November 13Calgary Flames2-1 (SOW)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69011-4-1
17November 14Philadelphia Flyers3-2MillerWachovia Center – 19,64112-4-1
18November 18Florida Panthers2-6MillerHSBC Arena – 18,54612-5-1
19November 20Boston Bruins1-2 (OTL)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,29112-5-2
20November 21Ottawa Senators3-5LalimeScotiabank Place – 17,20612-6-2
21November 25Washington Capitals0-2MillerVerizon Center – 18,27712-7-2
22November 27Philadelphia Flyers4-2MillerWachovia Center – 19,67313-7-2
23November 28Carolina Hurricanes5-1MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69014-7-2
24November 30Toronto Maple Leafs3-0MillerAir Canada Centre – 19,11015-7-2 :
December: 9-4-2 (Home: 5-2-2; Road: 4-2-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
25December 3Montreal Canadiens6-2MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69016-7-2
26December 5New York Rangers1-2MillerHSBC Arena – 18,30116-8-2
27December 7New Jersey Devils0-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69016-9-2
28December 9Washington Capitals3-0MillerHSBC Arena – 17,98217-9-2
29December 11Chicago Blackhawks2-1LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,00918-9-2
30December 12New York Rangers3-2MillerMadison Square Garden – 18,20019-9-2
31December 14Montreal Canadiens4-3MillerBell Centre – 21,27320-9-2
32December 16Ottawa Senators0-2MillerScotiabank Place – 16,91720-10-2
33December 18Toronto Maple Leafs5-2MillerHSBC Arena – 18,15921-10-2
34December 19Pittsburgh Penguins1-2 (OTL)LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,69021-10-3
35December 21Toronto Maple Leafs3-2MillerAir Canada Centre – 19,23522-10-3
36December 23Washington Capitals2-5MillerVerizon Center – 18,27722-11-3
37December 26Ottawa Senators2-3 (OTL)MillerHSBC Arena -18,69022-11-4
38December 27St. Louis Blues5-3LalimeScottrade Center -19,15023-11-4
39December 29Pittsburgh Penguins4-3LalimeHSBC Arena -18,69024-11-4 :
January: 8-3-3 (Home: 5-0-1; Road: 3-3-2)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
40January 1Atlanta Thrashers4-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69025-11-4
41January 3Montreal Canadiens1-0MillerBell Centre – 21,27326-11-4
42January 6Tampa Bay Lightning5-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69027-11-4
43January 8Toronto Maple Leafs3-2MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69028-11-4
44January 9Colorado Avalanche3-4 (OTL)LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,69028-11-5
45January 14Atlanta Thrashers2-1MillerPhilips Arena – 11,31329-11-5
46January 16New York Islanders2-3 (SOL)MillerNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 13,63529-11-6
47January 18Phoenix Coyotes7-2MillerJobing.com Arena – 11,30930-11-6
48January 19Anaheim Ducks4-5LalimeHonda Center – 15,57030-12-6
49January 21Los Angeles Kings3-4 (SOL)MillerStaples Center – 16,88430-12-7
50January 23San Jose Sharks2-5MillerHP Pavilion – 17,56230-13-7
51January 25Vancouver Canucks2-3MillerGeneral Motors Place – 18,81030-14-7
52January 27New Jersey Devils2-1 (SOW)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69031-14-7
53January 29Boston Bruins2-1MillerHSBC Arena – 1869032-14-7 :
February: 1-4-2 (Home: 1-2-1; Road: 0-2-1)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
54February 1Pittsburgh Penguins4-5MillerMellon Arena – 17,02932-15-7
55February 3Ottawa Senators2-4MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69032-16-7
56February 5Carolina Hurricanes3-4MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69032-17-7
57February 6Columbus Blue Jackets0-4LalimeNationwide Arena – 18,57632-18-7
58February 9Boston Bruins3-4 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69032-18-8
59February 11Carolina Hurricanes2-3 (OT)MillerRBC Center – 15,52732-18-9
60February 13San Jose Sharks3-1MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69033-18-9 :
March: 10-5-1 (Home: 5-3-0; Road: 5-2-1)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
61March 2Pittsburgh Penguins2-3LalimeMellon Arena – 17,13233-19-9
62March 3Washington Capitals1-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69033-20-9
63March 5Philadelphia Flyers3-2 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69034-20-9
64March 7New York Rangers2-1 (OT)MillerMadison Square Garden – 18,20035-20-9
65March 10Dallas Stars5-3MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69036-20-9
66March 12Minnesota Wild2-3LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,69036-21-9
67March 13Detroit Red Wings2-3 (OT)MillerJoe Louis Arena – 20,06636-21-10
68March 16Atlanta Thrashers3-4LalimePhilips Arena – 12,54036-22-10
69March 18Tampa Bay Lightning6-2MillerSt. Pete Times Forum – 16,86837-22-10
70March 20Florida Panthers3-1MillerBankAtlantic Center – 18,21738-22-10
71March 21Carolina Hurricanes5-3MillerRBC Center – 15,31139-22-10
72March 24Montreal Canadiens3-2 (SOW)MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69040-22-10
73March 26Ottawa Senators2-4MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69040-23-10
74March 27Tampa Bay Lightning7-1LalimeHSBC Arena – 18,69041-23-10
75March 29Boston Bruins3-2MillerTD Garden – 17,56542-23-10
76March 31Florida Panthers6-2MillerHSBC Arena – 18,69043-23-10 :
April: 2-4-0 (Home: 1-0-0; Road: 1-4-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
77April 1Toronto Maple Leafs2-4MillerAir Canada Centre43-24-10
78April 3Montreal Canadiens0-3MillerBell Centre43-25-10
79April 6New York Rangers5-2MillerHSBC Arena44-25-10
80April 8Boston Bruins1-3LalimeTD Garden44-26-10
81April 10Ottawa Senators5-2MillerScotiabank Place45-26-10
82April 11New Jersey Devils1-2LalimePrudential Center45-27-10 :
2009–10 Schedule :

## Playoffs

The Sabres qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years. They had not qualified for the playoffs since winning the Presidents' Trophy in the 2006–07 NHL season.

### Playoff log

2010 Stanley Cup playoffs :
* Scorer of game-winning goal in italics
** Denotes if necessary

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
Regular season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Derek Roy | 80 | 26 | 43 | 69 | 9 | 48 |
| Tim Connolly | 73 | 17 | 48 | 65 | 10 | 28 |
| Jason Pominville | 82 | 24 | 38 | 62 | 13 | 22 |
| Thomas Vanek | 71 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 9 | 42 |
| Tyler Myers | 82 | 11 | 37 | 48 | 13 | 32 |
| Jochen Hecht | 79 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 14 | 35 |
| Drew Stafford | 71 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 4 | 35 |
| Tim Kennedy | 78 | 10 | 16 | 26 | -3 | 50 |
| Clarke MacArthur$^‡$ | 60 | 13 | 13 | 26 | -14 | 47 |
| Steve Montador | 78 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 0 | 75 |
| Paul Gaustad | 65 | 12 | 10 | 22 | -7 | 82 |
| Mike Grier | 73 | 10 | 12 | 22 | -4 | 14 |
| Chris Butler | 59 | 1 | 20 | 21 | -15 | 22 |
| Toni Lydman | 67 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| Henrik Tallinder | 82 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 13 | 32 |
| Patrick Kaleta | 55 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 89 |
| Craig Rivet | 78 | 1 | 14 | 15 | -6 | 100 |
| Adam Mair | 69 | 6 | 8 | 14 | -2 | 73 |
| Matt Ellis | 72 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -1 | 12 |
| Andrej Sekera | 49 | 4 | 7 | 11 | -1 | 6 |
| Tyler Ennis | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 6 |
| Raffi Torres$^†$ | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | -3 | 2 |
| Nathan Gerbe | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Mark Mancari | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Nathan Paetsch$^‡$ | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Daniel Paille$^‡$ | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Jason Pominville | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| Tyler Ennis | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Thomas Vanek | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Tim Kennedy | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Mike Grier | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Henrik Tallinder | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Adam Mair | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Raffi Torres | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Derek Roy | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Cody McCormick | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| Patrick Kaleta | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 22 |
| Nathan Gerbe | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Craig Rivet | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Toni Lydman | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Tim Connolly | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 2 |
| Paul Gaustad | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Steve Montador | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Matt Ellis | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tyler Myers | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Drew Stafford | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrej Sekera | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |

### Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts
Regular season :
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | Sv% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Ryan Miller | 69 | 4047 | 41 | 18 | 8 | 150 | 2.22 | 2098 | .929 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Patrick Lalime | 16 | 854 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 40 | 2.81 | 432 | .907 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Jhonas Enroth | 1 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4.14 | 37 | .892 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | GAA | SA | Sv% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Ryan Miller | 6 | 384 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 2.34 | 204 | .926 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
$^†$Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Sabres. Stats reflect time with Sabres only. $^‡$Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.

## Awards and records
### Awards

Regular Season :
| Player | Award | Reached |
| Tyler Myers | NHL Rookie of the Month | January 2010 |
| Tyler Myers | Calder Memorial Trophy winner | June 23, 2010 |
| Ryan Miller | Vezina Trophy winner | June 23, 2010 |

### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Tyler Myers | 1st Career NHL Game | October 3, 2009 |
| Tyler Myers | 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | October 8, 2009 |
| Tim Kennedy | 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | October 10, 2009 |
| Tyler Myers | 1st Career NHL Goal | October 16, 2009 |
| Tim Kennedy | 1st Career NHL Goal | October 28, 2009 |
| Tyler Ennis | 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Goal | November 13, 2009 |
| Tim Connolly | 300th NHL Point | November 27, 2009 |

## Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.

### Trades

| Date | Details | Details |
| October 20, 2009 | To Boston Bruins Daniel Paille | To Buffalo Sabres 3rd-round pick in 2010 Conditional 4th-round pick in 2010 |
| March 3, 2010 | To Columbus Blue Jackets Nathan Paetsch 2nd-round pick in 2010 | To Buffalo Sabres Raffi Torres |
| March 3, 2010 | To Atlanta Thrashers Clarke MacArthur | To Buffalo Sabres 3rd-round pick in 2010 4th-round pick in 2010 |
Lost via retirement
Player
Teppo Numminen
Player signings
PlayerContract terms
Tyler Myers3 years
Paul Byron3 years
Matt Ellis1 year
Patrick Kaleta1 year, $522,500
Andrej Sekera2 years, $2 million
Clarke MacArthur1 year, $522,500
Drew Stafford2 years, $3.8 million
Tyler Ennis3-year entry-level contract
Mark Mancari1 year
Luke Adam3-year entry-level contract
Nick Crawford3-year entry-level contract
Mike Grier1 year :

## Draft selections

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was held June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.