Buffalo found some success between the 1981-1982 and 1991-1992 seasons which will be the focus of this segment of Buffalo Sabres history. The club managed to qualify for the playoffs nine times during this span. While it failed to take it to the next level by winning a championship, the club gained many new fans in Western New York and elsewhere by it’s regular playoff appearances.
[See Also: Buffalo Sabres History: Part I (1970-1981)]
Some of the franchise’s iconic names emerged onto the scene during this frame of Sabres’ history including forwards Lindy Ruff, Dave Andreychuk, and Pierre Turgeon, defensemen Mike Ramsey and Phil Housley, and goaltenders Daren Puppa and Clint Malarchuk. Here is a season-by-season look at part II of Buffalo Sabres history from the 1981-1982 season through the 1991-1992 season.
1981-1982 Season
Head Coach: Jimmy Roberts & Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
Season Record: 39-26-15 (93 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Gilbert Perreault (73)
Leader in Goals: Gilbert Perreault (31)
Leader in Assists: John Van Boxmeer (54)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Boston Bruins
1982-1983 Season
Head Coach: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
Season Record: 38-29-13 (89 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Gilbert Perreault (76)
Leader in Goals: Tony McKegney (36)
Leader in Assists: Phil Housley (47)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 2nd Round to the Boston Bruins
1983-1984 Season
Head Coach: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
Season Record: 48-25-7 (103 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Gilbert Perreault (90)
Leader in Goals: Dave Andreychuk (38)
Leader in Assists: Gilbert Perreault (59)
Adams Division: 2nd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Quebec Nordiques
1984-1985 Season
Head Coach: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
Season Record: 38-28-14 (90 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Gilbert Perreault (83)
Leader in Goals: Dave Andreychuk (31)
Leader in Assists: Gilbert Perreault (53)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Quebec Nordiques
1985-1986 Season
Head Coach: Jim Schoenfeld & Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
General Manager: Scotty Bowman
Season Record: 37-37-6 (80 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Dave Andreychuk (87)
Leader in Goals: Mike Foligno (41)
Leader in Assists: Dave Andreychuk (51)
Adams Division: 5th overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
1986-1987 Season
Head Coach: Scotty Bowman, Craig Ramsey & Ted Sator
General Manager: Scotty Bowman & Gerry Meehan
General Manager: Scotty Bowman & Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 28-44-8 (64 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Dave Andreychuk (73)
Leader in Goals: Mike Foligno (30)
Leader in Assists: Dave Andreychuk (48)
Adams Division: 5th overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
1987-1988 Season
Head Coach: Ted Sator
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 37-32-11 (85 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Dave Andreychuk (78)
Leader in Goals: Ray Sheppard (38)
Leader in Assists: Dave Andreychuk (48)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Boston Bruins
1988-1989 Season
Head Coach: Ted Sator
General Manager:Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 38-35-7 (83 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Pierre Turgeon (88)
Leader in Goals: Pierre Turgeon (34)
Leader in Assists: Pierre Turgeon (54)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Boston Bruins
1989-1990 Season
Head Coach: Rick Dudley
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 45-27-8 (98 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Pierre Turgeon (106)
Leader in Goals: Pierre Turgeon (40)
Leader in Assists: Pierre Turgeon (66)
Adams Division: 2nd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Montreal Canadiens
1990-1991 Season
Head Coach: Rick Dudley
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 31-30-19 (81 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Dale Hawerchuk (89)
Leader in Goals: Dave Andreychuk (36)
Leader in Assists: Dale Hawerchuk (58)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Montreal Canadiens
1991-1992 Season
Head Coach: Rick Dudley & John Muckler
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
General Manager: Gerry Meehan
Season Record: 31-37-12 (74 points)
Leading Overall Scorer: Dale Hawerchuk (98)
Leader in Goals: Pat LaFontaine (46)
Leader in Assists: Dale Hawerchuk (75)
Adams Division: 3rd overall
Playoffs: Lost in the 1st Round to the Boston Bruins