NHL Team Guide
Buffalo Sabres: History, Stanley Cups & Facts
The Buffalo Sabres joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1970. As of 2026 they have reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 1975 and 1999, without winning it.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1970, NHL expansion team (with the Vancouver Canucks) |
|---|---|
| Arena | KeyBank Center, Buffalo (opened 1996) |
| Former arena | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (1970–1996) |
| Stanley Cups | 0 (as of 2026) |
| Stanley Cup Final appearances | 2 (1975, 1999) |
| Presidents' Trophy | 1 (2006–07), as of 2026 |
Stanley Cup history
Buffalo has not won the Stanley Cup as of 2026. It lost in the Final in 1975 and 1999.
- 1975 Stanley Cup Final: lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 4–2
- 1999 Stanley Cup Final: lost to the Dallas Stars 4–2, ended by Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal in Game 6
- 2006–07: won the Presidents' Trophy for the NHL's best regular-season record
Franchise history
- 1970: Began play as an expansion team and drafted Gilbert Perreault first overall.
- 1975: Reached the Stanley Cup Final, which included the "Fog Game" at the Aud.
- 1996: Moved from Memorial Auditorium to Marine Midland Arena, renamed KeyBank Center in 2016.
- 1999: Reached a second Stanley Cup Final.
- 2007: Won the Presidents' Trophy.
- 2026: Clinched a playoff berth on April 4, ending a 14-season drought, the longest in NHL history. Won the Atlantic Division and a first-round series over Boston.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Gilbert Perreault, 1,326 |
|---|---|
| Goalie wins | Ryan Miller, 284 |
| Shutouts | Dominik Hašek, 55 |
Retired numbers
- 2Tim Horton
- 7Rick Martin
- 11Gilbert Perreault
- 14René Robert
- 16Pat LaFontaine
- 18Danny Gare
- 30Ryan Miller
- 39Dominik Hašek
- 99Wayne Gretzky (retired across the NHL)
Hockey Hall of Famers
Gilbert Perreault, Dominik Hašek, Pat LaFontaine, Dave Andreychuk, Phil Housley.
Biggest rivalries
- Toronto Maple Leafs: the cross-border rivalry along the Queen Elizabeth Way.
- Boston Bruins: an Atlantic Division rival; Buffalo won their 2026 first-round series 4–2.
- Montreal Canadiens: an Atlantic Division rival that beat Buffalo in overtime of Game 7 in the 2026 second round.
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Have the Sabres ever won the Stanley Cup?
No, as of 2026. They reached the Final in 1975 and 1999.
What was the French Connection?
The 1970s line of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and René Robert. All three have their numbers retired (11, 7 and 14).
How long was the Sabres' playoff drought?
14 seasons, from 2011–12 through 2024–25, the longest in NHL history. It ended when Buffalo clinched a berth on April 4, 2026.
What was the Fog Game?
Game 3 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final in Buffalo, played in heavy fog on the ice at Memorial Auditorium.
What was KeyBank Center called before?
It opened in 1996 as Marine Midland Arena, then became HSBC Arena (2000) and First Niagara Center (2011) before KeyBank Center (2016).
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.