1995–96 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1995–96 1995 Buffalo Sabres Eastern 11th Northeast 5th 33–42–7 19–17–5 14–25–2 247 262 John Muckler Ted Nolan Pat LaFontaine Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 13,378 Rochester AmericansSouth Carolina Stingrays Pat LaFontaine (40) Pat LaFontaine (51) Pat LaFontaine (91) Matthew Barnaby (335) Mike Wilson (+13) Dominik Hasek (22) Dominik Hasek (2.83) The 1995–96 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 26th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). This was the team's final season at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, their home arena since 1970. They moved to Marine Midland Arena, which is now known as KeyBank Center. However, the Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1987. Regular season The Sabres had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season with 477.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1996.html 1995-96 NHL Summary Season standings BUF BUF Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#003087 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 5px solid; 1995–96 regular season1995-96 Buffalo Sabres Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1996_games.html Hockey-Reference.com August 7, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; October: 3–7–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 1–4–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 7, 1995||3–1 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||1–0–0 || 1995020005 W |- |2||October 9, 1995||3–5 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||1–1–0 || 1995020015 L |- |3||October 13, 1995||1–4 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) ||1–2–0 || 1995020034 L |- |4||October 15, 1995||3–4 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1995–96) ||1–3–0 || 1995020047 L |- |5||October 18, 1995||4–1 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) ||2–3–0 || 1995020063 W |- |6||October 20, 1995||1–3 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1995–96) ||2–4–0 || 1995020073 L |- |7||October 22, 1995||5–2 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1995–96) ||3–4–0 || 1995020086 W |- |8||October 24, 1995||0–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1995–96) ||3–5–0 || 1995020096 L |- |9||October 27, 1995||4–5 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) ||3–6–0 || 1995020111 L |- |10||October 29, 1995||3–6 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) ||3–7–0 || 1995020125 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; November: 7–4–2 (home: 4–1–2; road: 3–3–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |11||November 1, 1995||2–1 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) ||4–7–0 || 1995020138 W |- |12||November 3, 1995||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||4–7–1 || 1995020150 T |- |13||November 5, 1995||3–4 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) ||4–8–1 || 1995020165 L |- |14||November 8, 1995||7–2 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1995–96) ||5–8–1 || 1995020178 W |- |15||November 11, 1995||1–4 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1995–96) ||5–9–1 || 1995020200 L |- |16||November 12, 1995||6–4 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) ||6–9–1 || 1995020206 W |- |17||November 15, 1995||2–1 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1995–96) ||7–9–1 || 1995020221 W |- |18||November 18, 1995||5–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) ||8–9–1 || 1995020241 W |- |19||November 19, 1995||6–0 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||9–9–1 || 1995020246 W |- |20||November 24, 1995||1–1 OT|| align="left"| New York Islanders (1995–96) ||9–9–2 || 1995020270 T |- |21||November 25, 1995||3–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||9–10–2 || 1995020277 L |- |22||November 27, 1995||2–0 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1995–96) ||10–10–2 || 1995020290 W |- |23||November 29, 1995||3–5 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1995–96) ||10–11–2 || 1995020296 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; December: 6–8–1 (home: 4–5–1; road: 2–3–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |24||December 1, 1995||2–1 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1995–96) ||11–11–2 || 1995020310 W |- |25||December 2, 1995||4–6 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||11–12–2 || 1995020316 L |- |26||December 7, 1995||3–7 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) ||11–13–2 || 1995020346 L |- |27||December 8, 1995||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Washington Capitals (1995–96) ||11–13–3 || 1995020352 T |- |28||December 11, 1995||1–6 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) ||11–14–3 || 1995020365 L |- |29||December 13, 1995||4–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) ||12–14–3 || 1995020379 W |- |30||December 15, 1995||5–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1995–96) ||13–14–3 || 1995020392 W |- |31||December 16, 1995||3–2 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) ||14–14–3 || 1995020401 W |- |32||December 20, 1995||2–1 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) ||15–14–3 || 1995020421 W |- |33||December 22, 1995||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||15–15–3 || 1995020432 L |- |34||December 23, 1995||4–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||16–15–3 || 1995020441 W |- |35||December 26, 1995||3–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||16–16–3 || 1995020450 L |- |36||December 27, 1995||3–4 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||16–17–3 || 1995020458 L |- |37||December 29, 1995||2–5 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) ||16–18–3 || 1995020469 L |- |38||December 31, 1995||2–5 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1995–96) ||16–19–3 || 1995020481 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; January: 4–7–0 (home: 3–1–0; road: 1–6–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |39||January 5, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) ||17–19–3 || 1995020509 W |- |40||January 6, 1996||7–6 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) ||18–19–3 || 1995020516 W |- |41||January 10, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) ||18–20–3 || 1995020542 L |- |42||January 12, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1995–96) ||18–21–3 || 1995020555 L |- |43||January 13, 1996||4–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) ||18–22–3 || 1995020563 L |- |44||January 17, 1996||0–1 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||18–23–3 || 1995020578 L |- |45||January 24, 1996||4–2 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1995–96) ||19–23–3 || 1995020597 W |- |46||January 26, 1996||0–1 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) ||19–24–3 || 1995020613 L |- |47||January 27, 1996||3–6 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1995–96) ||19–25–3 || 1995020621 L |- |48||January 30, 1996||4–5 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1995–96) ||19–26–3 || 1995020632 L |- |49||January 31, 1996||6–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1995–96) ||20–26–3 || 1995020637 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; February: 6–3–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 2–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |50||February 3, 1996||2–4 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||20–27–3 || 1995020655 L |- |51||February 4, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) ||20–28–3 || 1995020665 L |- |52||February 7, 1996||2–1 OT|| align="left"| Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||21–28–3 || 1995020677 W |- |53||February 8, 1996||2–1 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) ||22–28–3 || 1995020685 W |- |54||February 10, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) ||22–28–4 || 1995020699 T |- |55||February 14, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) ||22–28–5 || 1995020718 T |- |56||February 16, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1995–96) ||22–28–6 || 1995020729 T |- |57||February 17, 1996||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1995–96) ||22–29–6 || 1995020735 L |- |58||February 21, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||23–29–6 || 1995020756 W |- |59||February 23, 1996||7–2 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) ||24–29–6 || 1995020768 W |- |60||February 25, 1996||6–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1995–96) ||25–29–6 || 1995020784 W |- |61||February 28, 1996||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||26–29–6 || 1995020796 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; March: 2–11–1 (home: 0–5–0; road: 2–6–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |62||March 1, 1996||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1995–96) ||26–29–7 || 1995020809 T |- |63||March 3, 1996||0–3 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) ||26–30–7 || 1995020820 L |- |64||March 6, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) ||26–31–7 || 1995020837 L |- |65||March 8, 1996||2–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) ||26–32–7 || 1995020849 L |- |66||March 10, 1996||4–6 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1995–96) ||26–33–7 || 1995020862 L |- |67||March 13, 1996||6–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) ||27–33–7 || 1995020876 W |- |68||March 15, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1995–96) ||27–34–7 || 1995020880 L |- |69||March 16, 1996||1–2 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1995–96) ||27–35–7 || 1995020886 L |- |70||March 18, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) ||27–36–7 || 1995020902 L |- |71||March 22, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) ||27–37–7 || 1995020920 L |- |72||March 23, 1996||7–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) ||28–37–7 || 1995020929 W |- |73||March 27, 1996||2–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) ||28–38–7 || 1995020955 L |- |74||March 29, 1996||5–6 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) ||28–39–7 || 1995020965 L |- |75||March 31, 1996||5–6 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1995–96) ||28–40–7 || 1995020975 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#003087 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFB81C 2px solid; April: 5–2–0 (home: 2–1–0; road: 3–1–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |76||April 1, 1996||6–4 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) ||29–40–7 || 1995020984 W |- |77||April 3, 1996||1–5 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1995–96) ||29–41–7 || 1995020990 L |- |78||April 5, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) ||30–41–7 || 1995021008 W |- |79||April 6, 1996||0–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1995–96) ||30–42–7 || 1995021015 L |- |80||April 10, 1996||5–2 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1995–96) ||31–42–7 || 1995021033 W |- |81||April 13, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) ||32–42–7 || 1995021056 W |- |82||April 14, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1995–96) ||33–42–7 || 1995021060 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T 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. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 16 Pat LaFontaine C 76 40 51 91 −8 36 12 Randy Burridge LW 74 25 33 58 0 30 26 Derek Plante C 76 23 33 56 −4 28 3 Garry Galley D 78 10 44 54 −2 81 43 Jason Dawe ice hockey RW 67 25 25 50 −8 33 10 Brad May LW 79 15 29 44 6 295 44 Alexei Zhitnik D 80 6 30 36 −25 58 36 Matthew Barnaby RW 73 15 16 31 −2 335 27 Michael Peca C 68 11 20 31 −1 67 13 Yuri Khmylev LW 66 8 20 28 −12 40 28 Donald Audette RW 23 12 13 25 0 18 19 Brian Holzinger C 58 10 10 20 −21 37 21 Mark Astley D 60 2 18 20 −12 80 41 Dave Hannan C 57 6 10 16 2 30 17 Brent Hughes ice hockey, born 1966 LW 76 5 10 15 −9 148 34 Mike Wilson ice hockey D 58 4 8 12 13 41 18 Michal Grosek Michal Grošek LW 22 6 4 10 0 31 22 Charlie Huddy D 52 5 5 10 −5 59 24 Dane Jackson ice hockey RW 22 5 4 9 3 41 32 Rob Ray RW 71 3 6 9 −8 287 8Shannon wore number 29 in his first two games. Darryl Shannon D 26 2 6 8 10 20 25 Rob Conn W 28 2 5 7 −9 18 8 Doug Bodger D 16 0 5 5 −6 18 33 Scott Pearson LW 27 4 0 4 −4 67 15 Dixon Ward RW 8 2 2 4 1 6 6 Doug Houda D 38 1 3 4 3 52 5 Craig Muni D 47 0 4 4 −12 69 4 Bob Boughner D 31 0 1 1 3 104 39 Dominik Hasek Dominik Hašek G 59 0 1 1 6 38 Jay McKee D 1 0 1 1 1 2 00 Martin Biron G 3 0 0 0 0 1 John Blue ice hockey G 5 0 0 0 0 37 Curtis Brown ice hockey C 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 Grant Jennings D 6 0 0 0 1 28 37 Barrie Moore LW 3 0 0 0 0 0 45 Scott Nichol ice hockey C 2 0 0 0 0 10 76 Wayne Primeau C 2 0 0 0 0 0 31 Steve Shields ice hockey G 2 0 0 0 2 30 Andrei Trefilov G 22 0 0 0 4 9 Vaclav Varada Václav Varaďa RW 1 0 0 0 0 0 Goaltending = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only. No. Jersey number Player Regular season GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 39 Dominik Hasek 59 22 30 6 2011 161 2.83 .920 2 3417 30 Andrei Trefilov 22 8 8 1 660 64 3.51 .903 0 1094 1 John Blue 5 2 2 0 137 15 3.52 .891 0 255 31 Steve Shields 2 1 0 0 32 4 3.19 .875 0 75 00 Martin Biron 3 0 2 0 64 10 5.05 .844 0 119 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Dominik Hasek1996 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1996_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Mike Wilson November 18, 19951995-96 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1996_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 6, 2024 Steve Shields December 23, 1995 Martin Biron December 26, 1995 Bob Boughner February 3, 1996 Barrie Moore April 5, 1996 Jay McKee April 10, 1996 Scott Nichol April 13, 1996 Vaclav Varada April 14, 1996 1,000th game played Charlie Huddy March 8, 1996Bailey Budd COUNT ON IT: HUDDY'S SET TO HIT 1,000 https://buffalonews.com/news/count-on-it-huddys-set-to-hit-1-000/article_792d8a67-89c7-5875-ae48-136d5fcc241a.html Buffalo News August 27, 2023 March 8, 1996 Draft picks Buffalo's draft picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta.1995 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1995e.html www.hockeydb.com August 28, 2023 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)114Jay McKeeNiagara Falls Thunder (OHL)116Martin BironBeauport Harfangs (QMJHL)242Mark DutiaumeBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)368Mathieu SunderlandDrummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)494Matt DavidsonPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)5111Marian MenhartHC Litvínov (Czech Republic)5119Kevin PoppSeattle Thunderbirds (WHL)5123Daniel BienvenueVal-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)7172Brian ScottKitchener Rangers (OHL)8198Mike ZanuttoOshawa Generals (OHL)9224Rob SkrlacKamloops Blazers (WHL) See also 1995–96 NHL season Notes References Buffalo Sabres 1995-96 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000331996.html www.hockeydb.com August 7, 2023 1995-96 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1996.html Hockey-Reference.com August 7, 2023 Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons B Buffalo Buffalo