# 1997–98 Buffalo Sabres season

The 1997–98 Buffalo Sabres season was the 28th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. In the Playoffs, the Sabres reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 1980.

## Regular season

On March 19, 1998, the Sabres scored three short-handed goals in a 6–1 win over the Florida Panthers.
The Sabres finished the regular season with 13 shutouts, the most in the NHL.

### Season standings

Northeast Division :
| No. | CR | | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | 2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 40 | 24 | 18 | 228 | 188 | 98 |
| 2 | 5 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 39 | 30 | 13 | 221 | 194 | 91 |
| 3 | 6 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 36 | 29 | 17 | 211 | 187 | 89 |
| 4 | 7 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 37 | 32 | 13 | 235 | 208 | 87 |
| 5 | 8 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 34 | 33 | 15 | 193 | 200 | 83 |
| 6 | 9 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 33 | 41 | 8 | 200 | 219 | 74 |
Eastern Conference :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | New Jersey Devils | ATL | 82 | 48 | 23 | 11 | 225 | 166 | 107 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NE | 82 | 40 | 24 | 18 | 228 | 188 | 98 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Flyers | ATL | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 242 | 193 | 95 |
| 4 | Washington Capitals | ATL | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 219 | 202 | 92 |
| 5 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 39 | 30 | 13 | 221 | 194 | 91 |
| 6 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 36 | 29 | 17 | 211 | 187 | 89 |
| 7 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 37 | 32 | 13 | 235 | 208 | 87 |
| 8 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 34 | 33 | 15 | 193 | 200 | 83 |
| 9 | Carolina Hurricanes | NE | 82 | 33 | 41 | 8 | 200 | 219 | 74 |
| 10 | New York Islanders | ATL | 82 | 30 | 41 | 11 | 212 | 225 | 71 |
| 11 | New York Rangers | ATL | 82 | 25 | 39 | 18 | 197 | 231 | 68 |
| 12 | Florida Panthers | ATL | 82 | 24 | 43 | 15 | 203 | 256 | 63 |
| 13 | Tampa Bay Lightning | ATL | 82 | 17 | 55 | 10 | 151 | 269 | 44 |
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast
bold – Qualified for playoffs

## Schedule and results
### Regular season

1997–98 regular season :
October: 4–7–2 (home: 2–2–0; road: 2–5–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1WOctober 1, 19973–1@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98)1–0–0Recap
2LOctober 3, 19972–6@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)1–1–0Recap
3TOctober 5, 19971–1 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)1–1–1Recap
4LOctober 7, 19972–4Dallas Stars (1997–98)1–2–1Recap
5WOctober 9, 19975–2Washington Capitals (1997–98)2–2–1Recap
6LOctober 11, 19972–3@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)2–3–1Recap
7TOctober 15, 19973–3 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)2–3–2Recap
8LOctober 17, 19971–5Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)2–4–2Recap
9LOctober 19, 19972–5@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)2–5–2Recap
10WOctober 22, 19974–1Calgary Flames (1997–98)3–5–2Recap
11LOctober 26, 19971–6@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)3–6–2Recap
12LOctober 28, 19972–3@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)3–7–2Recap
13WOctober 31, 19973–2 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)4–7–2Recap :
November: 3–5–3 (home: 1–4–2; road: 2–1–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
14WNovember 1, 19974–3 OT@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)5–7–2Recap
15LNovember 6, 19972–4Florida Panthers (1997–98)5–8–2Recap
16TNovember 8, 19972–2 OT@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)5–8–3Recap
17TNovember 10, 19974–4 OTEdmonton Oilers (1997–98)5–8–4Recap
18LNovember 13, 19972–3Washington Capitals (1997–98)5–9–4Recap
19LNovember 15, 19972–3New Jersey Devils (1997–98)5–10–4Recap
20WNovember 20, 19975–0@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)6–10–4Recap
21WNovember 22, 19976–1New York Islanders (1997–98)7–10–4Recap
22LNovember 24, 19971–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)7–11–4Recap
23LNovember 26, 19971–3Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)7–12–4Recap
24TNovember 28, 19973–3 OTNew York Rangers (1997–98)7–12–5Recap :
December: 7–7–1 (home: 6–2–0; road: 1–5–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
25TDecember 1, 19971–1 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)7–12–6Recap
26WDecember 3, 19974–0Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)8–12–6Recap
27WDecember 5, 19974–0Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)9–12–6Recap
28LDecember 6, 19970–3@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98)9–13–6Recap
29LDecember 11, 19971–2@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)9–14–6Recap
30WDecember 12, 19973–2 OTCarolina Hurricanes (1997–98)10–14–6Recap
31LDecember 15, 19974–8@ Dallas Stars (1997–98)10–15–6Recap
32LDecember 17, 19970–4@ New York Islanders (1997–98)10–16–6Recap
33WDecember 19, 19971–0Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)11–16–6Recap
34WDecember 21, 19972–0@ New York Rangers (1997–98)12–16–6Recap
35LDecember 23, 19971–3Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)12–17–6Recap
36WDecember 26, 19973–0New York Rangers (1997–98)13–17–6Recap
37LDecember 27, 19971–4@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)13–18–6Recap
38LDecember 29, 19971–3New Jersey Devils (1997–98)13–19–6Recap
39WDecember 31, 19973–0Ottawa Senators (1997–98)14–19–6Recap :
January: 5–2–4 (home: 3–0–3; road: 2–2–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
40TJanuary 2, 19982–2 OTColorado Avalanche (1997–98)14–19–7Recap
41WJanuary 7, 19983–2@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)15–19–7Recap
42TJanuary 8, 19982–2 OT@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)15–19–8Recap
43LJanuary 10, 19982–5@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98)15–20–8Recap
44WJanuary 14, 19984–1@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)16–20–8Recap
45WJanuary 15, 19986–2Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)17–20–8Recap
46LJanuary 20, 19980–3@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)17–21–8Recap
47WJanuary 21, 19982–1Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)18–21–8Recap
48WJanuary 23, 19984–1Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)19–21–8Recap
49TJanuary 27, 19983–3 OTSt. Louis Blues (1997–98)19–21–9Recap
50TJanuary 30, 19983–3 OTPhoenix Coyotes (1997–98)19–21–10Recap :
February: 3–0–4 (home: 0–0–3; road: 3–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
51WFebruary 1, 19985–2@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)20–21–10Recap
52WFebruary 2, 19987–3@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)21–21–10Recap
53TFebruary 4, 19982–2 OTBoston Bruins (1997–98)21–21–11Recap
54TFebruary 6, 19982–2 OTPittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)21–21–12Recap
55WFebruary 7, 19984–1@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)22–21–12Recap
56TFebruary 25, 19982–2 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)22–21–13Recap
57TFebruary 26, 19981–1 OT@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)22–21–14Recap :
March: 9–5–1 (home: 3–3–0; road: 6–2–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
58WMarch 1, 19983–0@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)23–21–14Recap
59WMarch 2, 19981–0@ New York Rangers (1997–98)24–21–14Recap
60LMarch 6, 19982–4New York Islanders (1997–98)24–22–14Recap
61WMarch 7, 19982–1@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)25–22–14Recap
62TMarch 10, 19982–2 OT@ New York Islanders (1997–98)25–22–15Recap
63WMarch 12, 19983–1San Jose Sharks (1997–98)26–22–15Recap
64LMarch 14, 19981–2@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)26–23–15Recap
65WMarch 15, 19983–0Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)27–23–15Recap
66LMarch 17, 19983–5Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)27–24–15Recap
67WMarch 19, 19986–1Florida Panthers (1997–98)28–24–15Recap
68LMarch 21, 19981–2Boston Bruins (1997–98)28–25–15Recap
69WMarch 24, 19982–0@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)29–25–15Recap
70WMarch 26, 19985–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)30–25–15Recap
71WMarch 27, 19981–0@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)31–25–15Recap
72LMarch 29, 19982–4@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)31–26–15Recap :
April: 5–3–2 (home: 5–2–0; road: 0–1–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
73WApril 1, 19984–0Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)32–26–15Recap
74WApril 3, 19985–4Boston Bruins (1997–98)33–26–15Recap
75LApril 5, 19980–1Ottawa Senators (1997–98)33–27–15Recap
76WApril 8, 19983–1Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)34–27–15Recap
77WApril 10, 19982–1Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)35–27–15Recap
78TApril 11, 19984–4 OT@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98)35–27–16Recap
79WApril 13, 19982–1Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)36–27–16Recap
80LApril 15, 19984–5 OT@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)36–28–16Recap
81TApril 18, 19983–3 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)36–28–17Recap
82LApril 19, 19981–2Ottawa Senators (1997–98)36–29–17Recap :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Tie (1 point) :

### Playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup playoffs :
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers – Sabres win 4–1
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WApril 22, 19983–2@ Philadelphia FlyersSabres lead 1–0Recap
2LApril 24, 19982–3@ Philadelphia FlyersSeries tied 1–1Recap
3WApril 27, 19986–1Philadelphia FlyersSabres lead 2–1Recap
4WApril 29, 19984–1Philadelphia FlyersSabres lead 3–1Recap
5WMay 1, 19983–2 OT@ Philadelphia FlyersSabres win 4–1Recap :
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (7) Montreal Canadiens – Sabres win 4–0
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WMay 8, 19983–2 OTMontreal CanadiensSabres lead 1–0Recap
2WMay 10, 19986–3Montreal CanadiensSabres lead 2–0Recap
3WMay 12, 19985–4 2OT@ Montreal CanadiensSabres lead 3–0Recap
4WMay 14, 19983–1@ Montreal CanadiensSabres win 4–0Recap :
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (4) Washington Capitals – Capitals win 4–2
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WMay 23, 19982–0@ Washington CapitalsSabres lead 1–0Recap
2LMay 25, 19982–3 OT@ Washington CapitalsSeries tied 1–1Recap
3LMay 28, 19983–4 OTWashington CapitalsCapitals lead 2–1Recap
4LMay 30, 19980–2Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 3–1Recap
5WJune 2, 19982–1@ Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 3–2Recap
6LJune 4, 19982–3 OTWashington CapitalsCapitals win 4–2Recap :
Legend:
  Win
  Loss :

## Player statistics
### Scoring

* Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
* † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
* ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
| No. | Player | Pos | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| No. | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| 81 | Miroslav Satan | LW | 79 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 2 | 34 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 9 | −9 | 4 |
| 44 | Alexei Zhitnik | D | 78 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 19 | 102 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 36 |
| 28 | Donald Audette | RW | 75 | 24 | 20 | 44 | 10 | 59 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 13 | −4 | 10 |
| 27 | Michael Peca | C | 61 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 12 | 57 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| 17 | Jason Dawe‡ | RW | 68 | 19 | 17 | 36 | 10 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Brian Holzinger | C | 69 | 14 | 21 | 35 | −2 | 36 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 11 | −2 | 18 |
| 5 | Jason Woolley | D | 71 | 9 | 26 | 35 | 8 | 35 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 12 |
| 26 | Derek Plante | C | 72 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 8 | 26 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 18 | Michal Grosek | LW | 67 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 9 | 60 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 28 |
| 36 | Matthew Barnaby | RW | 72 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 8 | 289 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 22 |
| 37 | Curtis Brown | C | 63 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 11 | 34 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| 15 | Dixon Ward | RW | 71 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 9 | 42 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| 8 | Darryl Shannon | D | 76 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 56 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 42 | Richard Smehlik | D | 72 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 11 | 62 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 74 | Jay McKee | D | 56 | 1 | 13 | 14 | −1 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 0 |
| 22 | Wayne Primeau | C | 69 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 87 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 6 |
| 25 | Vaclav Varada | RW | 27 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 |
| 10 | Brad May‡ | LW | 36 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | Randy Burridge | LW | 30 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 80 | Geoff Sanderson† | LW | 26 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 20 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Mike Wilson | D | 66 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 48 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −4 | 13 |
| 32 | Rob Ray | RW | 63 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 234 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 24 |
| 9 | Erik Rasmussen | C | 21 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Bob Boughner | D | 69 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 165 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 15 |
| 24 | Paul Kruse† | LW | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 39 | Dominik Hasek | G | 72 | 0 | 2 | 2 | | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 4 |
| 21 | Mike Hurlbut | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 40 | Rumun Ndur | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 45 | Scott Nichol | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 31 | Steve Shields | G | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — |

### Goaltending

| No. | Player | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| No. | Player | GP | W | L | T | SA | GA | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI | GP | W | L | SA | GA | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI |
| 39 | Dominik Hasek | 72 | 33 | 23 | 13 | 2149 | 147 | 2.09 | .932 | 13 | 4220 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 514 | 32 | 2.03 | .938 | 1 | 948 |
| 31 | Steve Shields | 16 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 408 | 37 | 2.83 | .909 | 0 | 785 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |

## Awards and records
### Awards

| Type | Award/honor | Recipient |
| League (annual) | Hart Memorial Trophy | Dominik Hasek |
| League (annual) | Lester B. Pearson Award | Dominik Hasek |
| League (annual) | NHL First All-Star team | Dominik Hasek (Goaltender) |
| League (annual) | Vezina Trophy | Dominik Hasek |
| League (in-season) | NHL All-Star Game selection | Dominik Hasek |

### Milestones

| Milestone | Player | Date | Ref |
| First game | Erik Rasmussen | October 1, 1997 | |
| 25th shutout | Dominik Hasek | December 21, 1997 | |

## Draft picks

Buffalo's picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team |
| 1 | 21 | Mika Noronen (G) | Finland | Tappara (SM-liiga) |
| 2 | 48 | Henrik Tallinder (D) | Sweden | AIK IF Jr. (Sweden) |
| 3 | 69 | Maxim Afinogenov (RW) | Russia | Dynamo Moscow (Russia) |
| 3 | 75 | Jeff Martin (C) | Canada | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 4 | 101 | Luc Theoret (D) | Canada | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
| 5 | 128 | Torrey DiRoberto (C) | United States | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 6 | 156 | Brian Campbell (D) | Canada | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
| 7 | 184 | Jeremy Adduono (RW) | Canada | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) |
| 8 | 212 | Kamil Piros (RW) | Czech Republic | HC Chemopetrol Jr. (Czech Republic) |
| 9 | 238 | Dylan Kemp (D) | Canada | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |