The NHL Belt · reign 1,299
Buffalo Sabres
Took the belt from Minnesota North Stars, 7–4, on December 3, 1972. Lost it to California Golden Seals, 4–2, on December 22, 1972.
7Defenses
19Days
6thReign for the franchise
+1Closest call · Dec 16, 1972
2.9Average winning margin
199thLongest of 3,434 reigns, by days
77thMost defenses of 3,434 reigns
Defended against
RangersRed WingsCanadiensBruinsBluesMaple LeafsCanucks
The season
- 1972–73: Montréal Canadiens had the best record (52–10–16); Montréal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup; 9 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 21 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most points for Buffalo Sabres across the 9 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | PTS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Lorentz | 14 | 9 |
| 2 | Rene Robert | 12 | 9 |
| 3 | Gerry Meehan | 12 | 9 |
| 4 | Rick Martin | 9 | 9 |
| 5 | Gilbert Perreault | 9 | 9 |
Every game of the reign
margins from Buffalo Sabres’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,397 | Dec 3, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Minnesota North Stars 7–4 Game → | +3 | Title change |
| 3,398 | Dec 6, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat New York Rangers 3–2 | +1 | Defense |
| 3,399 | Dec 7, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Detroit Red Wings 6–1 | +5 | Defense |
| 3,400 | Dec 10, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Montréal Canadiens 4–2 | +2 | Defense |
| 3,401 | Dec 13, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Boston Bruins 7–3 | +4 | Defense |
| 3,402 | Dec 16, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat St. Louis Blues 4–3 | +1 | Defense |
| 3,403 | Dec 17, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Toronto Maple Leafs 4–0 | +4 | Defense |
| 3,404 | Dec 20, 1972 | Buffalo Sabres beat Vancouver Canucks 6–3 | +3 | Defense |
| 3,405 | Dec 22, 1972 | California Golden Seals beat Buffalo Sabres 4–2 Game → | −2 | Title change |