2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season was the 42nd season of operation (41st season of play) for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. Their season began October 7, 2011 against the Anaheim Ducks in Helsinki, Finland. In Helsinki the team named Jason Pominville the 13th full time captain in team history. Pominville filled the vacancy left by Craig Rivet who was traded to Columbus during the previous season. 
==Off-season==
The Sabres signed several free agents. This was due to the new ownership giving permission to the managing staff to bid for free agents. The previous ownership allowed free agents to leave rather than pay for free agent contracts. The Sabres home also underwent a makeover. The interior of the arena was painted Sabres colors, blue and gold. The players locker rooms also received an extensive multi-million dollar upgrade. The naming right were transferred from HSBC to First Niagara Bank and the arena took on the name First Niagara Center.
==Regular season==
The Sabres participated in the 2011 NHL Premiere, playing their first two regular season games in Europe. After a 2–0 start in Europe the Sabres returned home and continued to play well. They had a record of 10–5 going into a November 12 game against the Boston Bruins. In the 1st period of the game Ryan Miller left his crease to play a puck and was hit by the Bruins Milan Lucic. Miller suffered a concussion and neck injury on the hit and would go on to miss nine games. Lucic was penalized for charging on the play but was not suspended or fined by the league.Miller skeptical of Milan Lucic During the middle part of the season injuries plagued the team. By the All Star break the Sabres sat in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and had 225 man games lost to injury. Jason Pominville was the only Sabre named to the All-Star Game roster. Luke Adam was one of twelve rookies selected to participate in the All-Star Skills Competition. 
During the 33 game stretch from the Bruins game November 12 to January 24 the Sabres had a record of 9–19–5. The poor play included a team record 12 game road losing streak and a run of 5 consecutive regulation loses on a single road trip.4, Sabres 2
Things then began to turn around with a shootout win at the New Jersey Devils January 24, the final game before the All-Star break.2, Devils 1, SO The Sabres then went on a 18–5–5 run going from 14th in the Eastern Conference back into the 8th and final playoff position on March 24 with a 3–1 win at home against the Minnesota Wild.3, Wild 1 On March 27 the Sabres faced the Washington Capitals for a pivotal game for the final playoff position. The teams entered the game tied at 84 points with the Capitals holding the tie breaker advantage. The Sabres won the game by a convincing 5-1 score. In the second period of the game the Sabres were ahead 3-1 and down injuries to two defensemen. Christian Ehrhoff and Andrej Sekera were both injured in the period and the Capitals were going on the power play when Robyn Regehr took a hooking penalty. The penalty left the Sabres with only three available defensemen. On the power play Alex Ovechkin bobbled a pass at the blue line. Jason Pominville took the puck and scored a short-handed goal to put the Sabres up 4-1. Ryan Miller made 44 saves improving to a personal record of 8-0-2 in his last ten games and 14-1-3 in 18 games. The win put Buffalo in sole possession of the 8th playoff seed and even in games with Washington.
The Sabres time in 8th place was short lived due to two consecutive regulation loses first at home to Pittsburgh and then at Toronto. At home on the back end of the home and home with Toronto the Sabres fell behind 3-0 in the first period and 5-3 in the third. The Sabres then rallied to score two goals in the final 5 minutes of the third to tie the game at 5. In overtime Dion Phaneuf took a delay of game penalty. Derek Roy ended the game on the ensuing power play with his second of the game. The win pulled Buffalo even in points with Washington at 88. Washington still held the tie breaker advantage. Each team had two games left.
The Sabres would go on to pick up only 1 point in their final 2 games ultimately failing to make the playoffs. 
On April 3, 2012, following their final regular season home game, the Sabres announced a new record for average paid attendance of 18,272 per home game.
==Playoffs==
The Sabres attempted to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The attempt fell 3 points short and the Sabres finished in 9th place.
==Standings==
== Schedule and results ==
=== Pre-season ===
2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)	2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–1–1)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Record 	Recap 	 	
1 	September 19 	Carolina Hurricanes 	1–3 	Buffalo Sabres 	 	Enroth 	1–0–0 	 	 	
2 	September 21 	Buffalo Sabres 	3–1 	Montreal Canadiens 	 	Miller 	2–0–0 	 	 	
3 	September 23 	Buffalo Sabres 	2–1 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	 	Miller 	3–0–0 	 	 	
4 	September 24 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	2–3 	Buffalo Sabres 	 	Enroth 	4–0–0 	 	 	
5 	September 25 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	 	Miller 	4–1–0 	 	 	
6 	September 30 	Buffalo Sabres 	4–5 	Washington Capitals 	SO 	Miller 	4–1–1 	 	 	
7 	October 4 	Buffalo Sabres 	8–3 	Adler Mannheim 	 	Enroth 	5–1–1 	 	 	
===Regular season===
2011–12 Game Log	2011–12 Game Log	 	 	 	 	
October: 6–4–0 (Home: 2–3–0; Road: 4–1–0)
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"	 	 	 	 	 	
Game 	October 	Opponent 	Score	Decision	Location/Attendance 	Record
1 	7 	Anaheim Ducks 	4–1 	Miller 	Helsinki, Finland/13,349 	1–0–0
2 	8 	@ Los Angeles Kings 	4–2 	Miller 	Berlin, Germany/14,300 	2–0–0
3 	14 	Carolina Hurricanes 	4–3 	Miller 	First Niagara Center/18,690	2–1–0
4 	15 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins	3–2 	Enroth 	Consol Energy Center/18,562	3–1–0
5 	18 	@ Montreal Canadiens 	3–1 	Miller 	Bell Centre/21,273 	4–1–0
6 	20 	@ Florida Panthers 	3–0 	Miller 	Bank Atlantic Center/14,811	5–1–0
7 	22 	@ Tampa Bay Lightning	3–0 	Miller 	St. Pete Times Forum/19,204	5–2–0
8 	25 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	4–3 	Miller 	First Niagara Center/18,690	5–3–0
9 	27 	Columbus Blue Jackets	4–2 	Enroth 	First Niagara Center/18,690	6–3–0
10 	29 	Florida Panthers 	3–2 	Miller 	First Niagara Center/18,690	6–4–0
==Player stats==
===Skaters===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	+/−	PIM
 	82	30	43	73 	−7 	12
 	78	26	35	61 	−6 	52
 	80	20	30	50 	5 	46
 	80	17	27	44 	−7 	54
 	48	15	19	34 	11 	14
 	66	5 	27	32 	−2 	47
 	62	6 	19	25 	2 	32
 	71	8 	17	25 	−2 	16
 	79	10	14	24 	4 	28
 	65	8 	15	23 	2 	6
 	55	8 	15	23 	5 	33
 	52	10	10	20 	−6 	14
‡ 	56	7 	10	17 	−1 	70
 	69	3 	10	13 	3 	18
 	14	6 	7 	13 	6 	9
‡ 	44	1 	11	12 	10 	20
 	63	5 	5 	10 	−5 	116
 	22	4 	4 	8 	1 	6
 	60	3 	5 	8 	−3 	25
† 	15	3 	5 	8 	2 	6
 	34	3 	5 	8 	0 	20
† 	20	3 	5 	8 	−7 	2
 	25	1 	7 	8 	−1 	15
‡ 	27	3 	4 	7 	−1 	20
 	76	1 	4 	5 	−12	56
 	51	1 	4 	5 	−19	64
 	50	1 	3 	4 	−7 	56
 	9 	1 	3 	4 	0 	4
 	11	1 	0 	1 	0 	6
 	3 	1 	0 	1 	0 	5
 	2 	0 	0 	0 	−3 	0
 	5 	0 	0 	0 	−3 	12
 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
===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	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	OT	GA 	GAA 	SA 	Sv% 	SO	G	A	PIM
 	61	3536	31	21	7 	150	2.55	1788	.916	6 	0	0	0
 	26	1399	8 	11	4 	63 	2.70	756 	.917	1 	0	0	2
 	2 	43 	0 	0 	0 	1 	1.40	18 	.944	0 	0	0	0
†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 	Regular Season 	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season
Player 	Award 	Awarded 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan MillerThree Stars: Miller, Kronwall, Emery earn honors 	NHL First Star of the Week 	March 5, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan MillerMalkin, Miller, Ovechkin named week's Three Stars	NHL Second Star of the Week	March 26, 2012	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marcus FolignoSabres' Foligno named Rookie of the Month 	NHL Rookie of the Month 	March 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan MillerFlyers' Bryzgalov earns First Star for March 	NHL Third Star of the Month	April 2, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
=== Records ===
On October 25, 2011, Brad Boyes played in his 500th consecutive NHL game, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to reach that mark. This streak ended at 513 when he was injured in the November 23 game.Sabres Boyes hits 500 games in a row tonight
===Milestones===
Regular Season 	Regular Season 	Regular Season 	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season
Player 	Milestone 	Reached 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brad Boyes 	200th Career NHL Assist 	October 7, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan Miller 	400th Career NHL Game 	October 7, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Drew Stafford 	200th Career NHL Point 	October 15, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brad Boyes 	500th Career NHL Game 	October 22, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Thomas Vanek 	400th Career NHL Point 	October 27, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Corey Tropp 	1st Career NHL Game 	November 4, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Corey Tropp 	1st Career NHL Goal1st Career NHL Point 	November 8, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Corey Tropp 	1st Career NHL Assist 	November 11, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nathan Gerbe 	100th Career NHL Game 	November 12, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
TJ Brennan 	1st Career NHL Game1st Career NHL Goal1st Career NHL Point 	November 23, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Zack Kassian 	1st Career NHL Game1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	November 25, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Zack Kassian 	1st Career NHL Goal 	November 26, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brayden McNabb 	1st Career NHL Game 	November 26, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Joe Finley 	1st Career NHL Game 	December 2, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derek Roy 	400th Career NHL Point 	December 2, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Tyler Ennis 	100th Career NHL Game 	December 2, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Drew Stafford 	100th Career NHL Goal 	December 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derek Roy 	500th Career NHL Game 	December 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Thomas Vanek 	500th Career NHL Game 	December 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Thomas Vanek 	200th Career NHL Assist 	December 20, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derek Whitmore 	1st Career NHL Game 	December 20, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marcus Foligno 	1st Career NHL Game 	December 20, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brayden McNabb 	1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point 	December 26, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brayden McNabb 	1st Career NHL Assist 	December 31, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cody McCormick 	300th Career NHL Game 	January 3, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Jason Pominville 	500th Career NHL Game 	January 16, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mike Weber 	100th Career NHL Game 	January 16, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Jason Pominville 	400th Career NHL Point 	January 18, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan Miller 	25th Career NHL Shutout 	February 8, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Tyler Myers 	200th Career NHL Game100th Career NHL Point 	February 17, 2012	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ville Leino 	200th Career NHL Game 	February 25, 2012	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marcus Foligno 	1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point 	March 10, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marcus Foligno 	1st Career NHL Assist 	March 12, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Travis Turnbull 	1st Career NHL Game 	March 21, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Christian Ehrhoff	200th Career NHL Assist 	March 21, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Travis Turnbull 	1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point 	March 23, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Robyn Regehr 	900th Career NHL Game 	April 3, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Andrej Sekera 	300th Career NHL Game 	April 3, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Final roster==
Updated April 7, 2012
|}
== Transactions ==
The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:
===Trades===
Date 	Details 	Details
June 25, 2011SABRES ACQUIRE REGEHR, KOTALIK AND 2012 SECOND ROUND PICK FROM CALGARY 	To Calgary Flames Chris ButlerPaul Byron 	To Buffalo Sabres Ales KotalikRobyn Regehr2nd-round pick in 2012
June 29, 2011BUFFALO SABRES ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO NEGOTIATE WITH CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF 	To New York Islanders4th-round pick in 2012 	To Buffalo SabresChristian Ehrhoff (negotiating rights)
June 29, 2011SABRES TRADE MONTADOR'S NEGOTIATING RIGHTS 	To Chicago BlackhawksSteve Montador (negotiating rights)	To Buffalo SabresConditional 7th-round pick in 2012
February 27, 2012SABRES ACQUIRE HODGSON, SULZER, FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK AT TRADE DEADLINE	To Nashville PredatorsPaul Gaustad4th-round pick in 2013	Buffalo Sabres1st-round pick in 2012
February 27, 2012 	To Vancouver CanucksMarc-Andre GragnaniZack Kassian 	To Buffalo SabresCody HodgsonAlexander Sulzer
=== Free agents signed ===
Player 	Former team 	Contract terms
Ville LeinoSABRES SIGN VILLE LEINO 	Philadelphia Flyers 	6 years, $27 million
Drew MacIntyreSABRES SIGN MacINTYRE, WHITMORE AND STUART 	Hamilton Bulldogs 	1 year, $525,000
Michael RyanSABRES SIGN RYAN AND SZCZECHURA 	Adirondack Phantoms 	1 year, $525,000
Paul Szczechura 	Norfolk Admirals 	1 year, $525,000
Jonathan ParkerSABRES INK FORWARDS BOYCHUK, PARKER 	Prince Albert Raiders	3-years, $1.605 million entry-level contract
Joe FinleySABRES SIGN JOE FINLEY 	Rochester Americans 	3 years, $1.575 million
Philip VaroneSABRES SIGN VARONE TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT 	Rochester Americans 	3 years, $1.71 million entry-level contract
Brian FlynnSABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD BRIAN FLYNN TO NHL CONTRACT	University of Maine 	1 year, $925,000 entry level contract
=== Free agents lost ===
Player 	New team 	Contract terms
Tim ConnollyLeafs Sign Tim Connolly 	Toronto Maple Leafs	2 years, $9.5 million
Mark MancariVancouver Canucks sign Nolan Baumgartner and Mark Mancari 	Vancouver Canucks 	1 year, $525,000
Rob NiedermayerRob Niedermayer will play in Switzerland next season 	HC Lugano 	1 year
Mark ParrishBulletin: Senators sign forward Mark Parrish to a one-year contract	Ottawa Senators 	1 year, $650,000
Tim ConboyBulletin: Senators sign defenceman Tim Conboy to a one-year contract 	Ottawa Senators 	1 year, $600,000
===Claimed via waivers===
Player	Former team	Date claimed off waivers
=== Lost via waivers ===
Player	New team	Date claimed off waivers
=== Lost via retirement ===
Player
Patrick LalimeLALIME RETIRES, WILL WORK ON RDS HOCKEY BROADCASTS
Mike GrierGRIER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN 1,000 NHL GAMES
===Player signings===
Player 	Date 	Contract terms
Brayden McNabbSABRES SIGN 2009 DRAFT PICK BRAYDEN McNABB 	May 18, 2011 	3-years, $2.045 million entry-level contract
Marcus FolignoSABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH MARCUS FOLIGNO 	May 25, 2011 	3-years, $2.48 million entry-level contract
Mark PysykSABRES SIGN 2010 FIRST-ROUND PICK MARK PYSYK 	June 2, 2011 	3-years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Drew StaffordSABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DREW STAFFORD 	June 3, 2011 	4-years, $16 million
David LeggioSABRES GET THEIR MAN 	June 24, 2011 	1 year, $525,000
Nathan GerbeSABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH NATHAN GERBE 	June 29, 2011 	3-years, $4.3 million
Christian EhrhoffSABRES SIGN CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF TO A LONG-TERM CONTRACT	June 30, 2011 	10-years, $40 million
Cody McCormickSABRES RE-SIGN CODY McCORMICK 	July 1, 2011 	3-years, $3.6 million
Mike WeberSABRES RE-SIGN DEFENSEMAN MIKE WEBER 	July 4, 2011 	2-years, $1.9 million
Derek Whitmore 	July 7, 2011 	1 year, $525,000
Colin Stuart 	July 7, 2011 	1 year, $525,000
Dennis PerssonSABRES RE-SIGN PERSSON AND TURNBULL 	July 15, 2011 	1 year, $525,000
Travis Turnbull 	July 15, 2011 	1 year, $525,000
Matt EllisSEKERA AND ELLIS SIGN MULTI-YEAR DEALS 	July 19, 2011 	2 years, $1.05 million
Andrej Sekera 	July 19, 2011 	4 years, $11 million
Jhonas EnrothENROTH AGREES TO TERMS ON MULTI-YEAR DEAL 	July 21, 2011 	2 years, $1.35 million
Marc-Andre GragnaniSABRES LOCK UP GRAGNANI FOR ANOTHER YEAR 	August 11, 2011 	1 year, $550,000
Tyler MyersSEVENTH (HOCKEY) HEAVEN 	September 15, 2011	7 years, $38.5 million contract extension
Matt MacKenzieSabres sign Matt MacKenzie 	October 4, 2011 	3-years, $1.8 million entry-level contract
Riley Boychuk 	October 7, 2011 	3-years, $1.7075 million entry-level contract
Kevin SundherSABRES SIGN PROSPECT KEVIN SUNDHER 	December 15, 2011 	3 years, $1.895 million entry-level contract
Jerome Gauthier-LeducSABRES INK GAUTHIER-LEDUC TO ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT	December 30, 2011 	3 years, $1.995 million entry-level contract
Connor Knapp 	April 3, 2012 	2 years, $1.19 million entry-level contract
Dan Catenacci 	April 3, 2012 	3 years, $1.815 million entry-level contract
Nathan Lieuwen 	May 5, 2012 	3 years, $1.715 million entry-level contract
Alexander Sulzer 	May 21, 2012 	1 year, $725,000 contract extension
Joel Armia 	June 16, 2012 	3 years, $2.775 million entry-level contract
== Draft picks ==
Buffalo's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. 
Round	# 	Player 	Position 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	16 	Joel Armia 	Right Wing	 	Assat (SM-liiga)
3 	77 	Daniel Catenacci	Center 	 	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
4 	107	Colin Jacobs 	Center 	 	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
5 	137	Alex Lepkowski 	Defense 	 	Barrie Colts (OHL)
6 	167	Nathan Lieuwen 	Goaltender	 	Kootenay Ice (WHL)
7 	197	Brad Navin 	Center 	 	Waupaca High School (USHS-WI)
== See also ==
* 2011–12 NHL season
==References==
Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons
Buffalo Sabres season, 2011–12