1994–95 Buffalo Sabres season

The 1994–95 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 25th season in the National Hockey League. The season was marked by injuries to star forwards Dale Hawerchuk and Pat LaFontaine, who each missed over half of the lockout-shortened season. Donald Audette, Alexander Mogilny and Wayne Presley filled the offensive hole left by the absence of LaFontaine and Hawerchuk, as Audette led the team in goals (24), Mogilny led in assists (28) and points (47) and Presley led in shorthanded goals (5). Thanks to Presley's contribution in this offensive category, the Sabres tied the Washington Capitals with the most shorthanded goals scored by any team during the regular season (13). Dominik Hasek led all goaltenders in save percentage with .930, goals against average with 2.11 (tied with Rick Tabaracci of the Washington Capitals/Calgary Flames) and shutouts with 5 (tied with Ed Belfour of the Chicago Blackhawks). The Sabres were one of only three teams (the other two being the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Quebec Nordiques) not to be shut out in any of their regular season games or playoff games.^[1][2]

1994–95 Buffalo Sabres
Division	4th Northeast
Conference	7th Eastern
1994–95 record	22–19–7
Home record	15–8–1
Road record	7–11–6
Goals for	130
Goals against	119
Team information
General manager	John Muckler
Coach	John Muckler
Captain	Pat LaFontaine
Arena	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Average attendance	15,052
Minor league affiliate(s)	Rochester Americans South Carolina Stingrays
Team leaders
Goals	Donald Audette (24)
Assists	Alexander Mogilny (28)
Points	Alexander Mogilny (47)
Penalty minutes	Rob Ray (173)
Plus/minus	Yuri Khmylev (+8)
Wins	Dominik Hasek (19)
Goals against average	Dominik Hasek (2.11)
← 1993–94 1995–96 →

The team's playoff run was brief, as they were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers in five games.

Off-season

Regular season

On April 4, 1995, the Sabres scored three short-handed goals in a 6–3 home win over the Hartford Whalers.^[3]

The Sabres scored the fewest even-strength goals during the regular season (72).

Season standings

Northeast Division

No.	CR		GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
1	1	Quebec Nordiques	48	30	13	5	185	134	65
2	3	Pittsburgh Penguins	48	29	16	3	181	158	61
3	4	Boston Bruins	48	27	18	3	150	127	57
4	7	Buffalo Sabres	48	22	19	7	130	119	51
5	10	Hartford Whalers	48	19	24	5	127	141	43
6	11	Montreal Canadiens	48	18	23	7	125	148	43
7	14	Ottawa Senators	48	9	34	5	117	174	23

^[4]

Eastern Conference^[5]

R		Div	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
1	Quebec Nordiques	NE	48	30	13	5	185	134	65
2	Philadelphia Flyers	AT	48	28	16	4	150	132	60
3	Pittsburgh Penguins	NE	48	29	16	3	181	158	61
4	Boston Bruins	NE	48	27	18	3	150	127	57
5	New Jersey Devils	AT	48	22	18	8	136	121	52
6	Washington Capitals	AT	48	22	18	8	136	120	52
7	Buffalo Sabres	NE	48	22	19	7	130	119	51
8	New York Rangers	AT	48	22	23	3	139	134	47
9	Florida Panthers	AT	48	20	22	6	115	127	46
10	Hartford Whalers	NE	48	19	24	5	127	141	43
11	Montreal Canadiens	NE	48	18	23	7	125	148	43
12	Tampa Bay Lightning	AT	48	17	28	3	120	144	37
13	New York Islanders	AT	48	15	28	5	126	158	35
14	Ottawa Senators	NE	48	9	34	5	117	174	23

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results

Regular season

1994–95 regular season^[2]
January: 3–2–1 (home: 1–1–0; road: 2–1–1) Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap 1 W January 20, 1995 2–1 @ New York Rangers (1994–95) 1–0–0 Recap 2 W January 22, 1995 5–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 2–0–0 Recap 3 W January 25, 1995 2–1 New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 3–0–0 Recap 4 L January 27, 1995 3–7 Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 3–1–0 Recap 5 T January 28, 1995 2–2 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 3–1–1 Recap 6 L January 31, 1995 1–2 @ New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 3–2–1 Recap
February: 4–5–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 2–2–1) Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap 7 W February 2, 1995 1–0 @ Washington Capitals (1994–95) 4–2–1 Recap 8 L February 4, 1995 2–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 4–3–1 Recap 9 W February 5, 1995 2–1 Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 5–3–1 Recap 10 W February 7, 1995 2–1 Washington Capitals (1994–95) 6–3–1 Recap 11 L February 11, 1995 1–2 @ New York Islanders (1994–95) 6–4–1 Recap 12 L February 12, 1995 1–2 Boston Bruins (1994–95) 6–5–1 Recap 13 L February 15, 1995 1–2 New York Rangers (1994–95) 6–6–1 Recap 14 T February 19, 1995 3–3 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 6–6–2 Recap 15 T February 22, 1995 3–3 OT New York Islanders (1994–95) 6–6–3 Recap 16 W February 25, 1995 3–1 @ Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 7–6–3 Recap 17 L February 26, 1995 2–4 New York Rangers (1994–95) 7–7–3 Recap
March: 7–5–2 (home: 6–2–0; road: 1–3–2) Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap 18 W March 2, 1995 6–3 Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 8–7–3 Recap 19 T March 4, 1995 1–1 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 8–7–4 Recap 20 W March 5, 1995 4–1 Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 9–7–4 Recap 21 T March 8, 1995 2–2 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 9–7–5 Recap 22 L March 11, 1995 2–6 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 9–8–5 Recap 23 W March 14, 1995 2–1 OT @ Florida Panthers (1994–95) 10–8–5 Recap 24 W March 16, 1995 6–3 New York Islanders (1994–95) 11–8–5 Recap 25 L March 18, 1995 3–4 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 11–9–5 Recap 26 L March 19, 1995 1–6 Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 11–10–5 Recap 27 L March 21, 1995 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins (1994–95) 11–11–5 Recap 28 W March 24, 1995 3–0 Florida Panthers (1994–95) 12–11–5 Recap 29 L March 26, 1995 1–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 12–12–5 Recap 30 W March 28, 1995 5–3 Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 13–12–5 Recap 31 W March 30, 1995 7–0 Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 14–12–5 Recap
April: 6–7–2 (home: 4–2–0; road: 2–5–2) Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap 32 W April 1, 1995 5–1 @ New York Islanders (1994–95) 15–12–5 Recap 33 W April 4, 1995 6–3 Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 16–12–5 Recap 34 T April 6, 1995 1–1 OT @ Boston Bruins (1994–95) 16–12–6 Recap 35 L April 8, 1995 2–4 @ Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 16–13–6 Recap 36 L April 9, 1995 5–6 Boston Bruins (1994–95) 16–14–6 Recap 37 L April 12, 1995 1–3 @ New York Rangers (1994–95) 16–15–6 Recap 38 L April 14, 1995 2–5 @ Quebec Nordiques (1994–95) 16–16–6 Recap 39 W April 16, 1995 2–1 Ottawa Senators (1994–95) 17–16–6 Recap 40 L April 18, 1995 1–2 Hartford Whalers (1994–95) 17–17–6 Recap 41 L April 19, 1995 1–4 @ Boston Bruins (1994–95) 17–18–6 Recap 42 W April 23, 1995 4–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1994–95) 18–18–6 Recap 43 W April 24, 1995 3–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1994–95) 19–18–6 Recap 44 W April 26, 1995 5–0 Florida Panthers (1994–95) 20–18–6 Recap 45 L April 28, 1995 1–5 @ Washington Capitals (1994–95) 20–19–6 Recap 46 T April 29, 1995 3–3 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 20–19–7 Recap
May: 2–0–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 0–0–0) Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap 47 W May 1, 1995 2–0 Montreal Canadiens (1994–95) 21–19–7 Recap 48 W May 3, 1995 5–4 New Jersey Devils (1994–95) 22–19–7 Recap
Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

1995 Stanley Cup playoffs^[2]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–1 Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap 1 L May 7, 1995 3–4 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 1–0 Recap 2 L May 8, 1995 1–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 2–0 Recap 3 W May 10, 1995 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 2–1 Recap 4 L May 12, 1995 2–4 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers lead 3–1 Recap 5 L May 14, 1995 4–6 @ Philadelphia Flyers Flyers win 4–1 Recap
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.

			Regular season						Playoffs
No.	Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM
89	Alexander Mogilny	RW	44	19	28	47	0	36	5	3	2	5	−6	2
28	Donald Audette	RW	46	24	13	37	−3	27	5	1	1	2	−2	4
16	Pat LaFontaine	C	22	12	15	27	2	4	5	2	2	4	−2	2
13	Yuri Khmylev	LW	48	8	17	25	8	14	5	0	1	1	−1	8
26	Derek Plante	C	47	3	19	22	−4	12	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Doug Bodger	D	44	3	17	20	−3	47	5	0	4	4	1	0
18	Wayne Presley	RW	46	14	5	19	5	41	5	3	1	4	3	8
10	Dale Hawerchuk	C	23	5	11	16	−2	2	2	0	0	0	−1	0
14	Dave Hannan	C	42	4	12	16	3	32	5	0	2	2	2	2
43	Jason Dawe	RW	42	7	4	11	−6	19	5	2	1	3	−2	6
17^[a]	Craig Simpson	LW	24	4	7	11	−5	26	—	—	—	—	—	—
42	Richard Smehlik	D	39	4	7	11	5	46	5	0	0	0	−1	2
3	Garry Galley†	D	14	1	9	10	4	10	5	0	3	3	−3	4
20	Bob Sweeney	C	45	5	4	9	−6	18	5	0	0	0	−1	4
44^[b]	Alexei Zhitnik†	D	21	2	5	7	−3	34	5	0	1	1	−7	14
27	Brad May	LW	33	3	3	6	5	87	4	0	0	0	0	2
22	Charlie Huddy†	D	32	2	4	6	−1	36	3	0	0	0	1	0
5	Craig Muni	D	40	0	6	6	−4	36	5	0	1	1	0	2
24	Philippe Boucher‡	D	9	1	4	5	6	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Petr Svoboda‡	D	26	0	5	5	−5	60	—	—	—	—	—	—
33	Mark Astley	D	14	2	1	3	−2	12	2	0	0	0	−2	0
29	Scott Pearson†	LW	14	2	1	3	−3	20	5	0	0	0	−1	4
6	Doug Houda	D	28	1	2	3	1	68	—	—	—	—	—	—
41	Ken Sutton‡	D	12	1	2	3	−2	30	—	—	—	—	—	—
19	Brian Holzinger	C	4	0	3	3	2	0	4	2	1	3	−3	2
32	Rob Ray	RW	47	0	3	3	−4	173	5	0	0	0	0	14
36	Matthew Barnaby	RW	23	1	1	2	−2	116	—	—	—	—	—	—
37	Curtis Brown	C	1	1	1	2	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
9	Viktor Gordiouk	LW	10	0	2	2	−3	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
76	Wayne Primeau	C	1	1	0	1	−2	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
12	Peter Ambroziak	LW	12	0	1	1	−1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
31	Grant Fuhr‡	G	3	0	0	0		0	—	—	—	—	—	—
39	Dominik Hasek	G	41	0	0	0		2	5	0	0	0		0
44	Doug MacDonald	LW	2	0	0	0	−1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
3	Dean Melanson	D	5	0	0	0	−1	4	—	—	—	—	—	—
35	Robb Stauber†	G	6	0	0	0		0	—	—	—	—	—	—
29	Denis Tsygurov‡	D	4	0	0	0	−1	4	—	—	—	—	—	—

Goaltending

• † = 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.

		Regular season										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	41	19	14	7	1221	85	2.11	.930	5	2416	5	1	4	131	18	3.50	.863	0	309
35	Robb Stauber†	6	2	3	0	150	20	3.79	.867	0	317	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
31	Grant Fuhr‡	3	1	2	0	85	12	4.00	.859	0	180	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Awards and records

Awards

Dominik Hasek was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Type	Award/honor	Recipient	Ref
League (annual)	Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	Pat LaFontaine	^[6]
	NHL First All-Star team	Dominik Hasek (Goaltender)	^[7]
	Vezina Trophy	Dominik Hasek	^[8]

Milestones

Milestone	Player	Date	Ref
400th goal	Pat LaFontaine	April 14, 1995	^[9]

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft in Hartford, Connecticut.^[10]

Round	Pick	Player	Nationality	College/junior/club team
1	17	Wayne Primeau (C)	Canada	Owen Sound Platers (OHL)
2	43	Curtis Brown (LW)	Canada	Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
3	69	Rumun Ndur (D)	Canada	Guelph Storm (OHL)
5	121	Sergei Klimentiev (D)	Ukraine	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
6	147	Cal Benazic (D)	Canada	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
7	168	Steve Plouffe (G)	Canada	Granby Bisons (QMJHL)
7	173	Shane Hnidy (D)	Canada	Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
7	176	Steve Webb (RW)	Canada	Peterborough Petes (OHL)
8	199	Bob Westerby (LW)	Canada	Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
9	225	Craig Millar (D)	Canada	Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
10	251	Mark Polak (C)	Canada	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
11	277	Shayne Wright (D)	Canada	Owen Sound Platers (OHL)

Notes

1. Simpson wore number 22 until Huddy was acquired.
2. Zhitnik wore number 4 in his first ten games.

References

• "Buffalo Sabres 1994-95 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
• "1994-95 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

1. "1994-95 NHL Summary". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
2. "1994-95 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
3. "Hartford Whalers at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — April 4, 1995".
4. Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
5. "1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
6. "Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
7. "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
8. "Vezina Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
9. "1983 NHL Entry Draft -- Pat LaFontaine". www.hockeydraftcentral.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023. Scored his 400th career NHL goal for Buffalo on April 14, 1995, at Quebec.
10. 1994 NHL Entry Draft HockeyDB.com