The 1981–82 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 12th season of operation for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1]
Offseason
Regular season
Final standings
[2]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Record vs. opponents
Adams Division record vs. opponents
|
Vs. Wales Conference
|
Vs. Adams Division
| 1981–82 NHL records[3]
|
| Team
|
BOS
|
BUF
|
HFD
|
MTL
|
QUE
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
— |
5–2–1 |
4–2–2 |
0–7–1 |
4–4 |
13–15–4
|
|
|
2–5–1 |
— |
4–1–3 |
3–2–3 |
4–3–1 |
13–11–8
|
| Hartford
|
2–4–2 |
1–4–3 |
— |
0–7–1 |
2–3–3 |
5–18–9
|
| Montreal
|
7–0–1 |
2–3–3 |
7–0–1 |
— |
3–3–2 |
19–6–7
|
| Quebec
|
4–4 |
3–4–1 |
3–2–3 |
3–3–2 |
— |
13–13–6
|
|
Vs. Patrick Division
| 1981–82 NHL records
|
| Team
|
NYI
|
NYR
|
PHI
|
PIT
|
WSH
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
2–1 |
2–1 |
1–2 |
1–1–1 |
3–0 |
9–5–1
|
|
|
2–1 |
0–2–1 |
1–2 |
2–1 |
3–0 |
8–6–1
|
| Hartford
|
0–2–1 |
1–1–1 |
0−3 |
0–2–1 |
1–2 |
2–10–3
|
| Montreal
|
1–2 |
2–1 |
2–1 |
2–1 |
1–2 |
8–7–0
|
| Quebec
|
1–1–1 |
1–1–1 |
1–1–1 |
0–3 |
2–0–1 |
5–6–4
|
|
Vs. Campbell Conference
|
Vs. Norris Division
| 1981–82 NHL records
|
| Team
|
CHI
|
DET
|
MIN
|
STL
|
TOR
|
WIN
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
1−2 |
2−0−1 |
1−2 |
1−1–1 |
3−0 |
3−0 |
11−5−2
|
|
|
2−1 |
3−0 |
1−1−1 |
2−1 |
2−0−1 |
1−0−2 |
11−3−4
|
| Hartford
|
1–1–1 |
2–0–1 |
1–2 |
2–1 |
3–0 |
2−1 |
11−5−2
|
| Montreal
|
2−0−1 |
2−1 |
1–0−2 |
2−0−1 |
2–0−1 |
1−0−2 |
10−1−7
|
| Quebec
|
2−1 |
3−0 |
0−2–1 |
2−1 |
1−1–1 |
2−0−1 |
10−5−3
|
|
Vs. Smythe Division
| 1981–82 NHL records
|
| Team
|
CGY
|
COL
|
EDM
|
LAK
|
VAN
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
1−1−1 |
3−0 |
1−0–2 |
3−0 |
2−1 |
10−2−3
|
|
|
0−2−1 |
3–0 |
1−2 |
2−1 |
1−1−1 |
7−6−2
|
| Hartford
|
1–2 |
0–2–1 |
0–2–1 |
2–0–1 |
0–2–1 |
3–8–4
|
| Montreal
|
2−1 |
2−0−1 |
1−0−2 |
2–1 |
2−1 |
9−3−3
|
| Quebec
|
0−3 |
2−1 |
2−1 |
0–1–2 |
1–1−1 |
5−7−3
|
|
|
Schedule and results
| 1981–82 regular season[4]
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 1 |
W |
October 7, 1981 |
5–3 |
Washington Capitals (1981–82) |
1–0–0
|
| 2 |
L |
October 10, 1981 |
0–9 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
1–1–0
|
| 3 |
T |
October 11, 1981 |
2–2 |
Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) |
1–1–1
|
| 4 |
W |
October 14, 1981 |
4–2 |
Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
2–1–1
|
| 5 |
W |
October 17, 1981 |
4–2 |
@ Washington Capitals (1981–82) |
3–1–1
|
| 6 |
T |
October 18, 1981 |
3–3 |
Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
3–1–2
|
| 7 |
T |
October 21, 1981 |
2–2 |
Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) |
3–1–3
|
| 8 |
W |
October 23, 1981 |
6–2 |
Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) |
4–1–3
|
| 9 |
L |
October 25, 1981 |
3–6 |
Minnesota North Stars (1981–82) |
4–2–3
|
| 10 |
W |
October 28, 1981 |
6–2 |
St. Louis Blues (1981–82) |
5–2–3
|
| 11 |
L |
October 31, 1981 |
1–3 |
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) |
5–3–3
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 12 |
W |
November 1, 1981 |
6–2 |
Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) |
6–3–3
|
| 13 |
T |
November 4, 1981 |
3–3 |
Calgary Flames (1981–82) |
6–3–4
|
| 14 |
W |
November 7, 1981 |
6–2 |
@ New York Islanders (1981–82) |
7–3–4
|
| 15 |
T |
November 8, 1981 |
2–2 |
Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
7–3–5
|
| 16 |
L |
November 11, 1981 |
3–7 |
@ New York Rangers (1981–82) |
7–4–5
|
| 17 |
T |
November 13, 1981 |
3–3 |
New York Rangers (1981–82) |
7–4–6
|
| 18 |
W |
November 15, 1981 |
3–1 |
Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
8–4–6
|
| 19 |
L |
November 18, 1981 |
3–4 |
@ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) |
8–5–6
|
| 20 |
W |
November 20, 1981 |
4–3 |
@ Colorado Rockies (1981–82) |
9–5–6
|
| 21 |
W |
November 21, 1981 |
7–1 |
@ Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) |
10–5–6
|
| 22 |
W |
November 25, 1981 |
3–1 |
@ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) |
11–5–6
|
| 23 |
T |
November 28, 1981 |
4–4 |
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) |
11–5–7
|
| 24 |
W |
November 29, 1981 |
5–2 |
New York Islanders (1981–82) |
12–5–7
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 25 |
L |
December 3, 1981 |
3–6 |
@ Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
12–6–7
|
| 26 |
W |
December 4, 1981 |
4–2 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
13–6–7
|
| 27 |
W |
December 6, 1981 |
7–4 |
Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) |
14–6–7
|
| 28 |
W |
December 9, 1981 |
7–1 |
Colorado Rockies (1981–82) |
15–6–7
|
| 29 |
W |
December 12, 1981 |
4–2 |
@ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) |
16–6–7
|
| 30 |
T |
December 13, 1981 |
4–4 |
Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
16–6–8
|
| 31 |
L |
December 15, 1981 |
3–4 |
Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) |
16–7–8
|
| 32 |
L |
December 17, 1981 |
1–2 |
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) |
16–8–8
|
| 33 |
L |
December 19, 1981 |
3–7 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
16–9–8
|
| 34 |
W |
December 20, 1981 |
8–2 |
Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
17–9–8
|
| 35 |
L |
December 22, 1981 |
2–3 |
@ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) |
17–10–8
|
| 36 |
W |
December 26, 1981 |
7–5 |
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) |
18–10–8
|
| 37 |
W |
December 27, 1981 |
3–2 |
Washington Capitals (1981–82) |
19–10–8
|
| 38 |
W |
December 31, 1981 |
4–2 |
Minnesota North Stars (1981–82) |
20–10–8
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 39 |
L |
January 2, 1982 |
3–6 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
20–11–8
|
| 40 |
W |
January 3, 1982 |
3–2 |
Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
21–11–8
|
| 41 |
W |
January 6, 1982 |
5–2 |
Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) |
22–11–8
|
| 42 |
W |
January 9, 1982 |
3–2 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
23–11–8
|
| 43 |
W |
January 10, 1982 |
6–4 |
Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) |
24–11–8
|
| 44 |
W |
January 13, 1982 |
6–2 |
Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) |
25–11–8
|
| 45 |
W |
January 15, 1982 |
8–2 |
Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) |
26–11–8
|
| 46 |
W |
January 17, 1982 |
7–1 |
Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
27–11–8
|
| 47 |
T |
January 19, 1982 |
2–2 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
27–11–9
|
| 48 |
W |
January 22, 1982 |
5–3 |
Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
28–11–9
|
| 49 |
W |
January 23, 1982 |
3–2 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
29–11–9
|
| 50 |
L |
January 27, 1982 |
3–4 |
@ Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) |
29–12–9
|
| 51 |
L |
January 29, 1982 |
1–3 |
@ Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) |
29–13–9
|
| 52 |
L |
January 30, 1982 |
2–3 |
@ Calgary Flames (1981–82) |
29–14–9
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 53 |
L |
February 3, 1982 |
2–5 |
Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
29–15–9
|
| 54 |
L |
February 4, 1982 |
2–5 |
@ Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
29–16–9
|
| 55 |
L |
February 7, 1982 |
3–7 |
New York Islanders (1981–82) |
29–17–9
|
| 56 |
W |
February 10, 1982 |
4–3 |
Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) |
30–17–9
|
| 57 |
L |
February 11, 1982 |
4–6 |
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) |
30–18–9
|
| 58 |
W |
February 16, 1982 |
2–1 |
@ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) |
31–18–9
|
| 59 |
W |
February 17, 1982 |
3–2 |
@ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) |
32–18–9
|
| 60 |
T |
February 20, 1982 |
2–2 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
32–18–10
|
| 61 |
W |
February 21, 1982 |
6–2 |
Colorado Rockies (1981–82) |
33–18–10
|
| 62 |
L |
February 24, 1982 |
3–6 |
Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) |
33–19–10
|
| 63 |
T |
February 26, 1982 |
4–4 |
@ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) |
33–19–11
|
| 64 |
T |
February 27, 1982 |
5–5 |
@ Minnesota North Stars (1981–82) |
33–19–12
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 65 |
T |
March 3, 1982 |
3–3 |
Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
33–19–13
|
| 66 |
T |
March 6, 1982 |
2–2 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
33–19–14
|
| 67 |
L |
March 7, 1982 |
3–5 |
Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
33–20–14
|
| 68 |
W |
March 10, 1982 |
7–4 |
@ Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) |
34–20–14
|
| 69 |
W |
March 12, 1982 |
3–2 |
@ Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) |
35–20–14
|
| 70 |
L |
March 13, 1982 |
1–4 |
@ Calgary Flames (1981–82) |
35–21–14
|
| 71 |
T |
March 16, 1982 |
3–3 |
Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
35–21–15
|
| 72 |
L |
March 18, 1982 |
1–4 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) |
35–22–15
|
| 73 |
L |
March 20, 1982 |
4–6 |
@ Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
35–23–15
|
| 74 |
W |
March 21, 1982 |
5–4 |
Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) |
36–23–15
|
| 75 |
L |
March 25, 1982 |
1–5 |
@ Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
36–24–15
|
| 76 |
L |
March 26, 1982 |
5–8 |
New York Rangers (1981–82) |
36–25–15
|
| 77 |
W |
March 28, 1982 |
9–5 |
Boston Bruins (1981–82) |
37–25–15
|
| 78 |
W |
March 30, 1982 |
6–4 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) |
38–25–15
|
|
|
|
|
Legend:
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
|
Playoffs
The Sabres lost to the Boston Bruins three games to one, in the Adams Division semi-finals.
Player statistics
Awards and records
Transactions
Draft picks
Buffalo's draft picks at the 1981 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.
| Round
|
#
|
Player
|
Nationality
|
College/Junior/Club team (League)
|
| 1 |
17 |
Jiri Dudacek |
Czechoslovakia |
HC Kladno (Czechoslovakia)
|
| 2 |
38 |
Hannu Virta |
Finland |
TPS (Finland)
|
| 3 |
59 |
Jim Aldred |
Canada |
Kingston Canadiens (OMJHL)
|
| 3 |
60 |
Colin Chisholm |
Canada |
Calgary Wranglers (WHL)
|
| 4 |
80 |
Jeff Eatough |
Canada |
Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
|
| 4 |
83 |
Anders Wikberg |
Sweden |
Timra IK (Sweden)
|
| 5 |
101 |
Mauri Eivola |
Finland |
TPS (Finland)
|
| 6 |
122 |
Ali Butorac |
Canada |
Ottawa 67's (OMJHL)
|
| 7 |
143 |
Heikki Leime |
Finland |
TPS (Finland)
|
| 8 |
164 |
Gates Orlando |
Canada |
Providence College (ECAC)
|
| 9 |
185 |
Venci Sebek |
Canada |
Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
|
| 10 |
206 |
Warren Harper |
Canada |
Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL)
|
See also
References
- ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
- ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
- ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "1981-82 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
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| Franchise | |
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| History | |
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| Personnel | |
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| Arenas | |
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| Affiliates | |
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| Media | |
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| Culture and lore | |
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| 1970s | |
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| 1980s | |
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| Patrick | |
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| Adams | |
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| Norris | |
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| Smythe | |
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| See also | |
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