1994–95 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season

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 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.

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

Off-season

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2023)

Regular season

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

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

Eastern Conference
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

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

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.

No.	Player	Pos	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	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	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.

No.	Player	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
League (annual)	Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	Pat LaFontaine
	NHL First All-Star team	Dominik Hasek (Goaltender)
	Vezina Trophy	Dominik Hasek

Milestones

Milestone	Player	Date
First game	Dean Melanson	February 19, 1995
	Peter Ambroziak	March 4, 1995
	Brian Holzinger	April 16, 1995
	Curtis Brown	May 3, 1995
	Wayne Primeau	May 3, 1995
400th goal	Pat LaFontaine	April 14, 1995

Draft picks

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

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

Simpson wore number 22 until Huddy was acquired.
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.

"1994-95 NHL Summary". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ "1994-95 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
"Hartford Whalers at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — April 4, 1995".
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.
"1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
"Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
"Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
"Vezina Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
"1994-95 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
"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.
1994 NHL Entry Draft HockeyDB.com

v t e Buffalo Sabres
Founded in 1970 Based in Buffalo, New York
Franchise	Team General managers Coaches Players Captains Draft picks expansion draft Seasons Current season
History	Records Award winners Retired numbers Broadcasters
Personnel	Owner(s) Terry Pegula General manager Kevyn Adams Head coach Lindy Ruff Team captain Rasmus Dahlin Current roster
Arenas	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium KeyBank Center
Affiliates	AHL Rochester Americans ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Media	TV MSG Western New York Bell Satellite TV Radio Sabres Hockey Network WGR 550
Culture and lore	The French Connection Seymour and Northrup Knox Ted Darling Rick Jeanneret Taro Tsujimoto Ronan Tynan Ryan Vinz Hockey Night Live! LECOM Harborcenter Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team Buffalo Jr. Sabres Buffalo Bandits Sabretooth "Sabre Dance" Empire Sports Network The Fog Game No Goal 2008 Winter Classic 2011 NHL Premiere 2018 Winter Classic 2022 Heritage Classic
Category Commons

v t e Buffalo Sabres seasons
1970s	1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80
1980s	1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
1990s	1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00
2000s	2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10
2010s	2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
2020s	2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25

v t e 1994–95 NHL season
Northeast	Boston Buffalo Hartford Montreal Ottawa Pittsburgh Quebec
Atlantic	Florida New Jersey NY Islanders NY Rangers Philadelphia Tampa Bay Washington
Central	Chicago Dallas Detroit St. Louis Toronto Winnipeg
Pacific	Anaheim Calgary Edmonton Los Angeles San Jose Vancouver
See also	Draft Supplemental draft Lockout Waiver draft Legion of Doom Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup Finals

Categories: