The NHL Belt · reign 1,546
Buffalo Sabres
Took the belt from New York Islanders, 5–3, on January 26, 1981. Lost it to Montréal Canadiens, 5–2, on February 19, 1981.
9Defenses
24Days
27thReign for the franchise
+2Closest call · Jan 31, 1981
3.4Average winning margin
152ndLongest of 3,434 reigns, by days
36thMost defenses of 3,434 reigns
Defended against
Flyers ×2Hartford WhalersWinnipeg JetsRed WingsBluesCapitalsFlamesOilers
The season
- 1980–81: New York Islanders had the best record (48–18–14); New York Islanders won the Stanley Cup; 11 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 36 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most points for Buffalo Sabres across the 11 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | PTS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Savard | 15 | 11 |
| 2 | Craig Ramsay | 12 | 11 |
| 3 | Ric Seiling | 12 | 10 |
| 4 | Derek Smith | 12 | 11 |
| 5 | Tony McKegney | 11 | 11 |
Every game of the reign
margins from Buffalo Sabres’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,142 | Jan 26, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat New York Islanders 5–3 Game → | +2 | Title change |
| 4,143 | Jan 28, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers tied 4–4 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 4,144 | Jan 31, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat Hartford Whalers 5–3 | +2 | Defense |
| 4,145 | Feb 1, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat Winnipeg Jets 4–0 | +4 | Defense |
| 4,146 | Feb 5, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat Philadelphia Flyers 4–0 | +4 | Defense |
| 4,147 | Feb 6, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat Detroit Red Wings 7–3 | +4 | Defense |
| 4,148 | Feb 8, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues tied 3–3 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 4,149 | Feb 12, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres beat Washington Capitals 6–3 | +3 | Defense |
| 4,150 | Feb 14, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames tied 4–4 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 4,151 | Feb 15, 1981 | Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers tied 2–2 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 4,152 | Feb 19, 1981 | Montréal Canadiens beat Buffalo Sabres 5–2 Game → | −3 | Title change |