2020–21 Buffalo Sabres season
The 2020–21 Buffalo Sabres season was the 51st season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.
| 2020–21 Buffalo Sabres | |
|---|---|
| Division | 8th East |
| 2020–21 record | 15–34–7 |
| Home record | 8–16–4 |
| Road record | 7–18–3 |
| Goals for | 138 |
| Goals against | 199 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Kevyn Adams |
| Coach | Ralph Krueger (Jan. 14 – Mar. 17) Don Granato (interim, Mar. 17 – May 8) |
| Captain | Jack Eichel |
| Alternate captains | Jake McCabe Kyle Okposo |
| Arena | KeyBank Center |
| Minor league affiliate(s) | Rochester Americans (AHL) Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Sam Reinhart (25) |
| Assists | Victor Olofsson (19) |
| Points | Sam Reinhart (40) |
| Penalty minutes | Rasmus Ristolainen (36) |
| Plus/minus | Steven Fogarty Jake McCabe (+2) |
| Wins | Linus Ullmark (9) |
| Goals against average | Linus Ullmark (2.63) |
On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. As a result of this realignment the Sabres played this season in the East Division and only played games against the other teams in their new division during the regular season.
With an 18th consecutive loss on March 29, 2021, the Sabres equalled the NHL record for the longest losing streak in a season, tied with the 2003–04 Pittsburgh Penguins. In that game, the Sabres blew a 3–0 lead and lost 4–3 in overtime.
On April 17, the Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention after a 3–2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, extending their playoff drought to ten seasons, tying an NHL record.
In the Sabres' 18-game losing streak, they were 0–15–3 (two overtime losses and one shootout loss). In the first 34 games, they were 6–23–5 for 17 points. In their final 22 games, they were 9–11–2, ultimately finishing with a 15–34–7 record for 37 points. For the fourth time in eight seasons, the Sabres finished with the worst record in the whole NHL.