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.
==Table key==
Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbol	Explanation
 	Stanley Cup champions
 	Conference champions
 	Division champions
 	Led league in points
Key of terms and abbreviations
Term or abbreviation	Definition
Finish 	Final position in division or league standings
GA 	Goals against (goals scored by the Sabres' opponents)
GF 	Goals for (goals scored by the Sabres)
GP 	Number of games played
L 	Number of losses
T 	Number of ties
OT 	Number of losses in overtime
Pts 	Number of points
W 	Number of wins
— 	Does not apply
==Year by year==
Season 	Sabres season 	Conference 	Division 	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	Regular seasonCode explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, OT—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.	PostseasonThe result of the playoff series shows the Wild's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.
Season 	Sabres season 	Conference 	Division 	Finish 	GP 	W 	L 	TBeginning in 2005, all games have a winner. Ties were eliminated 	OTBeginning in 1999, overtime (and later shootout) losses are worth one point 	Pts 	GF 	GA 	GP 	W 	L 	GF 	GA 	Result
1970–71 	1970–71 	— 	East 	5th 	78 	24 	39 	15 	— 	63 	217 	291 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1971–72 	1971–72 	— 	East 	6th 	78 	16 	43 	19 	— 	51 	203 	289 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1972–73 	1972–73 	— 	East 	4th 	78 	37 	27 	14 	— 	88 	257 	219 	6 	2 	4 	16 	21 	Lost in Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Canadiens)
1973–74 	1973–74 	— 	East 	5th 	78 	32 	34 	12 	— 	76 	242 	250 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1974–751 	1974–75 	Wales 	Adams 	1st 	80 	49 	16 	15 	— 	113 	354 	240 	17 	10 	7 	53 	58 	Won in Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Black Hawks)Won in Semifinals, 4–2 (Canadiens)Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 2–4 (Flyers)
1975–76 	1975–76 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	46 	21 	13 	— 	105 	339 	240 	9 	4 	5 	25 	29 	Won in Preliminary Round, 2–1 (Blues)Lost in Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Islanders)
1976–77 	1976–77 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	48 	24 	8 	— 	104 	301 	220 	6 	2 	4 	21 	19 	Won in Preliminary Round, 2–0 (North Stars)Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Islanders)
1977–78 	1977–78 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	44 	19 	17 	— 	105 	288 	215 	8 	3 	5 	22 	22 	Won in Preliminary Round, 2–1 (Rangers)Lost in Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Flyers)
1978–79 	1978–79 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	36 	28 	16 	— 	88 	280 	263 	3 	1 	2 	9 	9 	Lost in Preliminary Round, 1–2 (Penguins)
1979–801 	1979–80 	Wales 	Adams 	1st 	80 	47 	17 	16 	— 	110 	318 	201 	14 	9 	5 	48 	36 	Won in Preliminary Round, 3–1 (Canucks)Won in Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Black Hawks)Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Islanders)
1980–81 	1980–81 	Wales 	Adams 	1st 	80 	39 	20 	21 	— 	99 	327 	250 	8 	4 	4 	30 	30 	Won in Preliminary Round, 3–0 (Canucks)Lost in Quarterfinals, 1–4 (North Stars)
1981–82 	1981–82 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	39 	26 	15 	— 	93 	307 	273 	4 	1 	3 	11 	17 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 1–3 (Bruins)
1982–83 	1982–83 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	38 	29 	13 	— 	89 	318 	285 	10 	6 	4 	31 	35 	Won in Division Semifinals, 3–0 (Canadiens)Lost in Division Finals, 3–4 (Bruins)
1983–84 	1983–84 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	48 	25 	7 	— 	103 	315 	257 	3 	0 	3 	5 	13 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 0–3 (Nordiques)
1984–85 	1984–85 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	38 	28 	14 	— 	90 	290 	237 	5 	2 	3 	22 	22 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–3 (Nordiques)
1985–86 	1985–86 	Wales 	Adams 	5th 	80 	37 	37 	6 	— 	80 	296 	291 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1986–87 	1986–87 	Wales 	Adams 	5th 	80 	28 	44 	8 	— 	64 	280 	308 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1987–88 	1987–88 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	37 	32 	11 	— 	85 	283 	305 	6 	2 	4 	22 	28 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Bruins)
1988–89 	1988–89 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	38 	35 	7 	— 	83 	291 	299 	5 	1 	4 	14 	16 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 1–4 (Bruins)
1989–90 	1989–90 	Wales 	Adams 	2nd 	80 	45 	27 	8 	— 	98 	286 	248 	6 	2 	4 	13 	17 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Canadiens)
1990–91 	1990–91 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	31 	30 	19 	— 	81 	292 	278 	6 	2 	4 	24 	29 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Canadiens)
1991–92 	1991–92 	Wales 	Adams 	3rd 	80 	31 	37 	12 	— 	74 	289 	299 	7 	3 	4 	24 	19 	Lost in Division Semifinals, 3–4 (Bruins)
1992–93 	1992–93 	Wales 	Adams 	4th 	84 	38 	36 	10 	— 	86 	335 	297 	8 	4 	4 	31 	28 	Won in Division Semifinals, 4–0 (Bruins)Lost in Division Finals, 0–4 (Canadiens)
1993–94 	1993–94 	Eastern 	Northeast 	4th 	84 	43 	32 	9 	— 	95 	282 	218 	7 	3 	4 	14 	14 	Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Devils)
1994–952 	1994–95 	Eastern 	Northeast 	4th 	48 	22 	19 	7 	— 	51 	130 	119 	5 	1 	4 	13 	18 	Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Flyers)
1995–96 	1995–96 	Eastern 	Northeast 	5th 	82 	33 	42 	7 	— 	73 	247 	262 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
1996–97 	1996–97 	Eastern 	Northeast 	1st 	82 	40 	30 	12 	— 	92 	237 	208 	12 	5 	7 	27 	34 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–3 (Senators)Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1–4 (Flyers)
1997–98 	1997–98 	Eastern 	Northeast 	3rd 	82 	36 	29 	17 	— 	89 	211 	187 	15 	10 	5 	46 	32 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Flyers)Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–0 (Canadiens)Lost in Conference Finals, 2–4 (Capitals)
1998–99 	1998–99 	Eastern 	Northeast 	4th 	82 	37 	28 	17 	— 	91 	207 	175 	21 	14 	7 	59 	49 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Senators)Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 (Bruins)Won in Conference Finals, 4–1 (Maple Leafs)Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 2–4 (Stars)
1999–2000 	1999–2000 	Eastern 	Northeast 	3rd 	82 	35 	32 	11 	4 	85 	213 	204 	5 	1 	4 	8 	14 	Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Flyers)
2000–01 	2000–01 	Eastern 	Northeast 	2nd 	82 	46 	30 	5 	1 	98 	218 	184 	13 	7 	6 	38 	30 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 (Flyers)Lost in Conference Semifinals, 3–4 (Penguins)
2001–02 	2001–02 	Eastern 	Northeast 	5th 	82 	35 	35 	11 	1 	82 	213 	200 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2002–03 	2002–03 	Eastern 	Northeast 	5th 	82 	27 	37 	10 	8 	72 	190 	219 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2003–04 	2003–04 	Eastern 	Northeast 	5th 	82 	37 	34 	7 	4 	85 	220 	221 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2004–053 	2004–05 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout 	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–064 	2005–06 	Eastern 	Northeast 	2nd 	82 	52 	24 	— 	6 	110 	281 	239 	18 	11 	7 	60 	49 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 (Flyers)Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 (Senators)Lost in Conference Finals, 3–4 (Hurricanes)
2006–07 	2006–07 	Eastern 	Northeast 	1st 	82 	53 	22 	— 	7 	113 	308 	242 	16 	9 	7 	44 	39 	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Islanders)Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 (Rangers)Lost in Conference Finals, 1–4 (Senators)
2007–08 	2007–08 	Eastern 	Northeast 	4th 	82 	39 	31 	— 	12 	90 	255 	242 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2008–09 	2008–09 	Eastern 	Northeast 	3rd 	82 	41 	32 	— 	9 	91 	250 	234 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2009–10 	2009–10 	Eastern 	Northeast 	1st 	82 	45 	27 	— 	10 	100 	235 	207 	6 	2 	4 	15 	16 	Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Bruins)
2010–11 	2010–11 	Eastern 	Northeast 	3rd 	82 	43 	29 	— 	10 	96 	245 	229 	7 	3 	4 	18 	22 	Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Flyers)
2011–12 	2011–12 	Eastern 	Northeast 	3rd 	82 	39 	32 	— 	11 	89 	218 	230 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2012–135 	2012–13 	Eastern 	Northeast 	5th 	48 	21 	21 	— 	6 	48 	125 	143 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2013–14 	2013–14 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	8th 	82 	21 	51 	— 	10 	52 	157 	248 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2014–15 	2014–15 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	8th 	82 	23 	51 	— 	8 	54 	161 	274 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2015–16 	2015–16 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	7th 	82 	35 	36 	— 	11 	81 	201 	222 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2016–17 	2016–17 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	8th 	82 	33 	37 	— 	12 	78 	201 	237 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2017–18 	2017–18 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	8th 	82 	25 	45 	— 	12 	62 	199 	280 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2018–19 	2018–19 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	6th 	82 	33 	39 	— 	10 	76 	226 	271 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2019–206 	2019–20 	Eastern 	Atlantic 	6th 	69 	30 	31 	— 	8 	68 	195 	217 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
2020–217 	2020–21 	— 	East 	8th 	56 	15 	34 	— 	7 	37 	138 	199 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Did not qualify
TotalsTotals as of the completion of the 2020–21 season	TotalsTotals as of the completion of the 2020–21 season	TotalsTotals as of the completion of the 2020–21 season	TotalsTotals as of the completion of the 2020–21 season	TotalsTotals as of the completion of the 2020–21 season 	3,945 	1,805 	1,564 	409 	167 	4,186 	12,471 	11,966 	256 	124 	132 	763 	765 	29 playoff appearances
:1 Between 1974–75 and 1980–81, Conference championships were awarded to the team that finished first overall in their respective conference in the regular season.
:2 Season was shortened due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout.
:3 Season was cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
:4 As of the 2005–06 NHL season, all games tied after regulation will be decided in a shootout; SOL (Shootout losses) will be recorded as OTL in the standings.
:5 The 2012–13 NHL season was shortened due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout.
:6 The 2019–20 NHL season was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
:7 The 2020–21 NHL season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
===All-time records===
Statistic 	GP 	W 	L 	T 	OT
Regular season record (1970–present) 	3,945 	1,805 	1,564 	409 	167
Postseason record (1970–present) 	256 	124 	132 	— 	—
All-time regular and postseason record	4,301 	1,929 	1,696 	409 	167
All-time series record: 21–29 	All-time series record: 21–29	All-time series record: 21–29	All-time series record: 21–29	All-time series record: 21–29	All-time series record: 21–29
==References==
Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons
Buffalo Sabres
seasons