1972–73 Buffalo Sabres season


The 1972–73 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' third season of operation in the National Hockey League. The team made it to the playoffs for the first time, but lost in the first round to Montreal, four games to two.

Offseason

The Sabres added future Hall of Fame defenseman Tim Horton in the intra-league draft. In the Amateur Draft, the Sabres picked defenseman Jim Schoenfeld as their first-round pick, fifth over-all.

Regular season

Final standings

Schedule and results

Playoffs

The 1972–73 season saw the Sabres qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. The team would ultimately lose to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens in 6 games. After falling behind three games to none the Sabres won two straight to earn a final home game that was memorable for the "Thank you Sabres" chant from the end of the game.

Playoffs---------
Scoring---------

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

Lost via retirement

Claimed via Waivers

Lost via Waivers

PlayerNew teamDate claimed off waivers
Kevin O'SheaSt. Louis BluesMarch 3, 1972

Lost in the Expansion Draft

June 6, 1972To New York Islanders
Tom Miller
June 6, 1972To New York Islanders
Ken Murray
June 6, 1972To Atlanta Flames
Rod Zaine

1972 NHL Intraleague Draft

Roster

Draft picks

NHL draft

Round#PlayerNationalityCollege/Junior/Club Team
15Jim SchoenfeldNiagara Falls Flyers
225Larry CarriereLoyola University
337Jim McMastersCalgary Centennials
453Rychard CampeauSorel Black Hawks
569Gilles GrattonOshawa Generals
685Peter McNabU. of Denver

Farm teams

The 1972–73 AHL season was a successful one for the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Swords. The Swords would finish first overall in the regular season with a 54–17–5 record. They would go on to win the Calder Cup in the playoffs losing only 3 games in the 3 round best-of-7 event. It would be the only championship won by the team in its short existence.
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