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2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season was the 41st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1] Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, this was the 40th season of play for the franchise and was celebrated as such by the team.

Division3rd Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
2010–11 record43–29–10
Home record21–16–4
Quick facts Buffalo Sabres, Division ...
2010–11 Buffalo Sabres
Division3rd Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
2010–11 record43–29–10
Home record21–16–4
Road record22–13–6
Goals for245
Goals against229
Team information
General managerDarcy Regier
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainCraig Rivet (Oct.–Feb.)
Vacant (Feb.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsPaul Gaustad
Jochen Hecht
Jason Pominville
Derek Roy
Thomas Vanek (Feb.–Apr.)
ArenaHSBC Arena
Average attendance18,453
Team leaders
GoalsThomas Vanek (32)
AssistsThomas Vanek (41)
PointsThomas Vanek (73)
Penalty minutesCody McCormick (142)
Plus/minusSteve Montador (+16)
WinsRyan Miller (34)
Goals against averageRyan Miller (2.59)
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This was the last time that the Sabres qualified for postseason play until 2026.

Off-season

To commemorate the team's 40th anniversary, the Sabres went retro, reverting to their pre-1996 logo and to the design of the first season uniforms (blue with gold and white trim) with a silver trim the team has been using as a third uniform since the 2008–09 season. The new road uniforms would be white with blue and gold trim, similar to the original 1970–71 uniforms; a new third jersey was used paying homage to the AHL Bisons that played in the city prior to 1970. The jersey would come complete with the team's 40th anniversary logo (the current logo with "1970", the team's first season, inside.)

Regular season

Franchise sale

On November 30, 2010, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reported a story that billionaire Terrence Pegula had signed a letter of intent to purchase the Sabres from owners Tom Golisano, Larry Quinn and Daniel DiPofi for US$150 million. Pegula was the founder, president and CEO of East Resources, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States before selling the company.[2] After the report was released, Quinn claimed that the report was "untrue" but had refused further comment.[3] The $150 million was later determined to be an undervalued amount, as Forbes magazine had valued the team at just under $170 million in 2010.

In December 2010, Pegula officially expressed interest in buying the Sabres for $170 million and submitted a letter of intent to the NHL.

In January 2021, Golisano reportedly issued a counteroffer with an asking price of US$175 million.[4] An agreement between Pegula and Golisano to sell the team was reached on January 29, 2011, with Pegula buying the team for $189 million ($175 million with $14 million in debt included)[5][6] with the Sabres and Golisano officially making an announcement in a press conference on February 3, 2011.[7] League owners approved the sale on February 18.[8] In the conference, it was revealed that an unnamed bidder submitted a much higher bid than Pegula's, but made the bid contingent upon moving the team.[9] The description is consistent with that of Jim Balsillie, who has made public his efforts to move a team to Hamilton, Ontario, a move that the Sabres have actively opposed. Terry Pegula named former Pittsburgh Penguins executive Ted Black to be the team president.[10] Pegula was introduced as the Sabres' owner in a public ceremony at HSBC Arena on February 23, accompanied by what would be the final appearance of all three members of The French Connection line before Rick Martin's death three weeks later.

Divisional standings

More information GP, W ...
Northeast Division[11]
GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 y – Boston Bruins8246251144246195103
2 Montreal Canadiens82443084121620996
3 Buffalo Sabres824329103824522996
4 Toronto Maple Leafs823734113221825185
5 Ottawa Senators823240103019225074
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Conference standings

More information R, Div ...
Eastern Conference
R
Div GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 z – Washington CapitalsSE8248231143224197107
2 y – Philadelphia FlyersAT8247231244259223106
3 y – Boston BruinsNE8246251144246195103
4 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT824925839238199106
5 Tampa Bay LightningSE8246251140247240103
6 Montreal CanadiensNE82443084121620996
7 Buffalo SabresNE824329103824522996
8 New York RangersAT82443353523319893
8.5
9 Carolina HurricanesSE824031113523623991
10 Toronto Maple LeafsNE823734113221825185
11 New Jersey DevilsAT82383953517420981
12 Atlanta ThrashersSE823436122922326980
13 Ottawa SenatorsNE823240103019225074
14 New York IslandersAT823039132622926473
15 Florida PanthersSE823040122619522972
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bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Schedule and results

Pre-season

More information #, Date ...
2010 Pre-season game log
September/October: 4–2–0 (Home: 2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionRecordRecap
1September 25Toronto Maple Leafs1-3Buffalo SabresMiller1-0-0
2September 27Buffalo Sabres4-5Toronto Maple LeafsEnroth1-1-0
3September 28 (in Dundas, Ontario)Buffalo Sabres2-1Ottawa SenatorsMiller2-1-0
4September 30Buffalo Sabres5-3Montreal CanadiensEnroth3-1-0
5October 1Buffalo Sabres1-3Philadelphia FlyersMiller3-2-0
6October 3Philadelphia Flyers3-9Buffalo SabresMiller4-2-0
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Regular season

Game log

More information Game, October ...
2010–11 Game Log
October : 3-7-2 (Home: 0-4-1; Road: 3-3-1)
GameOctoberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
18@ Ottawa Senators2-1MillerScotiabank Place/19,3501-0-0
29New York Rangers3-6MillerHSBC Arena/18,6901-1-0
311Chicago Blackhawks3-4MillerHSBC Arena/17,8961-2-0
413New Jersey Devils0-1 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,6901-2-1
515Montreal Canadiens1-2MillerHSBC Arena/17,2641-3-1
616@ Chicago Blackhawks3-4LalimeUnited Center/21,2931-4-1
720@ Atlanta Thrashers4-1MillerPhilips Arena/8,8202-4-1
822Ottawa Senators2-4MillerHSBC Arena/18,0092-5-1
923@ New Jersey Devils6-1MillerPrudential Center/14,2283-5-1
1026@ Philadelphia Flyers3-6MillerWells Fargo Center/19,3613-6-1
1129@ Atlanta Thrashers3-4 (OT)MillerPhilips Arena/10,1723-6-2
1230@ Dallas Stars0-4LalimeAmerican Airlines Center/15,0153-7-2
November: 6-6-1 (Home: 4-4-0; Road: 2-2-1)
GameNovemberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
133Boston Bruins2-5EnrothHSBC Arena/18,4283-8-2
145Montreal Canadiens2-3LalimeHSBC Arena/18,0263-9-2
156@ Toronto Maple Leafs3-2 (SO)EnrothAir Canada Centre/19,3294-9-2
1610@ New Jersey Devils5-4 (SO)EnrothPrudential Center/14,5665-9-2
1711@ New York Rangers2-3 (OT)EnrothMadison Square Garden/17,8485-9-3
1813Washington Capitals3-2 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,6906-9-3
1915Vancouver Canucks4-3 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,6907-9-3
2017@ Washington Capitals2-4MillerVerizon Center/18,3987-10-3
2119Los Angeles Kings4-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,4188-10-3
2220Tampa Bay Lightning1-2LalimeHSBC Arena/17,8338-11-3
2324Pittsburgh Penguins0-1EnrothHSBC Arena/18,2508-12-3
2426Toronto Maple Leafs3-1MillerHSBC Arena/18,0049-12-3
2527@ Montreal Canadiens1-3MillerBell Centre/21,2739-13-3
December: 6-5-1 (Home: 4-2-0; Road: 2-3-1)
GameDecemberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
263Columbus Blue Jackets5-0MillerHSBC Arena/18,52910-13-3
274@ Ottawa Senators1-0 (SO)MillerScotiabank Place/16,36411-13-3
287@ Boston Bruins2-3 (OT)MillerTD Garden/17,56511-13-4
299San Jose Sharks6-3MillerHSBC Arena/18,01712-13-4
3011Pittsburgh Penguins2-5MillerHSBC Arena/18,69012-14-4
3115Boston Bruins3-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,19713-14-4
3217@ Florida Panthers2-6MillerBankAtlantic Center/16,89413-15-4
3318@ Tampa Bay Lightning1-3MillerSt. Pete Times Forum/17,14113-16-4
3421Anaheim Ducks5-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,69014-16-4
3523Florida Panthers3-4MillerHSBC Arena/18,69014-17-4
3627@ Calgary Flames2-5MillerPengrowth Saddledome/19,28914-18-4
3728@ Edmonton Oilers4-2MillerRexall Place/16,83915-18-4
January: 7-3-1 (Home: 3-2-0; Road: 5-1-1)
GameJanuaryOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
381Boston Bruins7-6 (SO)MillerHSBC Arena/18,69016-18-4
394@ Colorado Avalanche3-4 (OT)MillerPepsi Center/12,54816-18-5
406@ San Jose Sharks3-0MillerHP Pavilion/17,56217-18-5
418@ Phoenix Coyotes2-1MillerJobing.com Arena/13,90518-18-5
4211Philadelphia Flyers2-5MillerHSBC Arena/18,15518-19-5
4313Carolina Hurricanes3-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,27619-19-5
4415@ New York Islanders3-5MillerNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/12,22319-20-5
4518Montreal Canadiens4-2MillerHSBC Arena/17,56520-20-5
4620@ Boston Bruins2-1 (OT)MillerTD Garden/18,22521-20-5
4721New York Islanders2-5LalimeHSBC Arena/18,69021-21-5
4823@ New York Islanders5-3MillerNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/10,12022-21-5
4925@ Ottawa Senators3-2 (OT)MillerScotiabank Place/18,99023-21-5
February: 6-4-2 (Home: 3-3-2; Road: 3-1-0)
GameFebruaryOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
504@ Pittsburgh Penguins2-3MillerConsol Energy Center/18,31523-22-5
515Toronto Maple Leafs6-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,26424-22-5
528@ Tampa Bay Lightning7-4MillerSt. Pete Times Forum/14,44425-22-5
5310@ Florida Panthers3-2 (OT)MillerBankAtlantic Center/14,55926-22-5
5413New York Islanders6-7 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,69026-22-6
5515@ Montreal Canadiens3-2 (SO)EnrothBell Centre/21,27327-22-6
5616Toronto Maple Leafs1-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,41427-23-6
5718St. Louis Blues0-3MillerHSBC Arena/18,49327-24-6
5820Washington Capitals1-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,69027-25-6
5923Atlanta Thrashers4-1MillerHSBC Arena/18,69028-25-6
6025Ottawa Senators4-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,69029-25-6
6126Detroit Red Wings2-3 (SO)MillerHSBC Arena/18,69029-25-7
March: 9-3-2 (Home: 4-1-1; Road: 5-2-1)
GameMarchOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
621@ New York Rangers3-2MillerMadison Square Garden/18,20030-25-7
633@ Carolina Hurricanes2-3 (OT)MillerRBC Center/15,21330-25-8
645@ Philadelphia Flyers5-3MillerWells Fargo Center/19,90131-25-8
656@ Minnesota Wild3-2EnrothXcel Energy Center/18,09132-25-8
668@ Pittsburgh Penguins1-3MillerConsol Energy Center/18,31432-26-8
6710@ Boston Bruins4-3 (OT)MillerTD Garden/17,56533-26-8
6812@ Toronto Maple Leafs3-4MillerAir Canada Centre/19,34733-27-8
6913Ottawa Senators6-4EnrothHSBC Arena/18,69034-27-8
7015Carolina Hurricanes0-1MillerHSBC Arena/18,69034-28-8
7119Atlanta Thrashers8-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,69035-28-8
7220Nashville Predators3-4 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,69035-28-9
7322@ Montreal Canadiens2-0MillerBell Centre/21,27336-28-9
7425Florida Panthers4-2MillerHSBC Arena/18,69037-28-9
7526New Jersey Devils2-0MillerHSBC Arena/18,69038-28-9
7629@ Toronto Maple Leafs3-4MillerAir Canada Centre/19,48338-29-9
7730New York Rangers1-0EnrothHSBC Arena/18,69039-29-9
April: 4-0-1 (Home: 2-0-0; Road: 2-0-1)
GameAprilOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
782@ Washington Capitals4-5 (OT)EnrothVerizon Center/18,39839-29-10
793@ Carolina Hurricanes2-1 (OT)EnrothRBC Center/18,74040-29-10
805Tampa Bay Lightning4-2EnrothHSBC Arena/18,69041-29-10
818Philadelphia Flyers4-3 (OT)MillerHSBC Arena/18,69042-29-10
829@ Columbus Blue Jackets5-4EnrothNationwide Arena/18,71743-29-10
2010-2011 Schedule
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Playoffs

The Sabres qualified for the playoffs and played the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Sabres–Flyers series marked the ninth time, and first since 2006, the teams have met in the playoffs, most of any Sabres opponent. The Flyers lead the match-up four series to three. This series was the first time a Sabres–Flyers series has gone seven games.

Playoff log

More information 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, # ...
2011 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarter-finals vs #2 Philadelphia Flyers : Flyers win Series 4-3 (Home 1-2; Road 2-2)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTPhiladelphia goalsBuffalo goalsDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 14Buffalo Sabres1–0Philadelphia FlyersNoneKaletaMiller19,9291-0
2April 16Buffalo Sabres4–5Philadelphia FlyersBriere, Carcillo, Giroux, Leino, van RiemsdykVanek (2), McCormick, SekeraMiller19,9421–1
3April 18Philadelphia Flyers4–2Buffalo SabresCarter, Briere, Zherdev, TimonenStafford, GerbeMiller18,6901-2
4April 20Philadelphia Flyers0–1Buffalo SabresNonePominville Miller18,6902-2
5April 22Buffalo Sabres4–3 OTPhiladelphia Flyers5:31van Riemsdyk, Meszaros, BriereEnnis (2), Vanek, GragnaniMiller19,9593-2
6April 24Philadelphia Flyers5–4 OTBuffalo Sabres4:43Briere (2), van Riemsdyk, Hartnell, LeinoNiedermayer, Vanek (2), GerbeMiller18,6903-3
7April 26Buffalo Sabres2–5Philadelphia FlyersCoburn, Briere, Giroux, Leino, CarcilloMyers, BoyesMiller19,9593-4
Scorer of game-winning goal in italics
*Denotes if necessary
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Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

More information Regular season, Player ...
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Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

More information Regular season, Player ...
Regular season
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Ryan Miller663829:18342281652.591964.9165026
Jhonas Enroth14769:24922352.73377.9071000
Patrick Lalime7365:25050182.96163.8900010
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More information Playoffs, Player ...
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Ryan Miller7409:4234202.93242.9172012
Jhonas Enroth117:110013.538.8750000
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†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Sabres. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.

Awards and records

Awards

More information Player, Award ...
Regular Season
PlayerAwardAwarded
Ryan Miller[12]NHL Second Star of the WeekDecember 6, 2010
Drew Stafford[13]NHL Second Star of the WeekFebruary 14, 2011
Andrej Sekera[14]NHL Second Star of the WeekMarch 7, 2011
Ryan Miller[15]NHL First Star of the WeekMarch 28, 2011
Jhonas Enroth[16]NHL Third Star of the WeekApril 4, 2011
Thomas Vanek[17]NHL First Star of the WeekApril 11, 2011
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Records

Milestones

More information Player, Milestone ...
Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Jochen Hecht700th Career NHL GameOctober 11, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL GameOctober 26, 2010
Cody McCormick200th Career NHL GameOctober 29, 2010
Thomas Vanek400th Career NHL GameOctober 29, 2010
Mike Grier1,000th Career NHL GameNovember 3, 2010
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL WinNovember 6, 2010
Jordan Leopold100th Career NHL AssistNovember 6, 2010
Lindy Ruff (coach)1,000th Career NHL Game Coached[18]November 10, 2010
Steve Montador100th Career NHL PointNovember 13, 2010
Tyler Myers100th Career NHL GameNovember 13, 2010
Rob Niedermayer1,100th Career NHL GameNovember 15, 2010
Craig Rivet900th Career NHL GameNovember 20, 2010
Jason Pominville400th Career NHL GameNovember 24, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		November 26, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL GoalDecember 7, 2010
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Goal[19]December 28, 2010
Ryan Miller200th Career NHL Win[19]December 28, 2010
Lindy Ruff500th Career NHL Win (coach)January 6, 2011
Andrej Sekera200th Career NHL GameJanuary 15, 2011
Thomas Vanek200th Career NHL GoalJanuary 20, 2011
Paul Byron1st Career NHL Game
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		January 23, 2011
Paul Byron1st Career NHL GoalJanuary 25, 2011
Jason Pominville200th Career NHL AssistJanuary 25, 2011
Tim Connolly600th Career NHL GameFebruary 15, 2011
Paul Gaustad400th Career NHL GameFebruary 20, 2011
Steve Montador500th Career NHL GameFebruary 23, 2011
Patrick Kaleta200th Career NHL GameMarch 1, 2011
Drew Stafford300th Career NHL GameMarch 3, 2011
Jordan Leopold500th Career NHL GameMarch 10, 2011
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL ShutoutMarch 30, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		March 30, 2011
Thomas Vanek200th Career NHL GoalApril 2, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL GoalApril 3, 2011
Drew Stafford100th Career NHL AssistApril 3, 2011
Matt Ellis200th Career NHL GameApril 8, 2011
Paul Gaustad100th Career NHL AssistApril 9, 2011
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More information Player, Milestone ...
Playoffs
PlayerMilestoneReached
Chris Butler1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 14, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Playoff Game
1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 14, 2011
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 14, 2011
Cody McCormick1st Career NHL Playoff GoalApril 16, 2011
Andrej Sekera1st Career NHL Playoff Goal
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 16, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Playoff GoalApril 22, 2011
Tyler Myers1st Career NHL Playoff AssistApril 22, 2011
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 22, 2011
Chris Butler1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 24, 2011
Mike Grier100th Career NHL Playoff GameApril 24, 2011
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 26, 2011
Mark Mancari1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 26, 2011
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Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details
February 27, 2011[20] To St. Louis Blues
2nd-round pick in 2011		 To Buffalo Sabres
Brad Boyes
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More information Player, Former team ...
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More information Player ...
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Draft selections

The 2010 NHL entry draft was held June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

2010 NHL Entry Draft Results – Buffalo Sabres
RoundOverall pickPlayerNationalityPositionTeam fromLeague from
123Mark Pysyk CanadaDEdmonton Oil KingsWHL
368 (from Atlanta)Jerome Gauthier-Leduc CanadaDRouyn-Noranda HuskiesQMJHL
375 (from Boston)Kevin Sundher CanadaCChilliwack BruinsWHL
383Matt MacKenzie CanadaDCalgary HitmenWHL
498 (from Atlanta)Steven Shipley CanadaCOwen Sound AttackOHL
5143Gregg Sutch CanadaRWMississauga St. Michael's MajorsOHL
6173Cedrick Henley CanadaLWVal-d'Or ForeursQMJHL
7203Christian Isackson United StatesRWSaint Thomas AcademyUSHS-MN
7208 (from San Jose)Riley Boychuk CanadaLWPortland WinterhawksWHL

See also

Farm teams

Portland Pirates

The Portland Pirates remain Buffalo's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2010–11.

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

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