Gilbert Perreault’s 7-Point Explosion Still Stands as a Buffalo Sabres Record

On February 1, 1976, Gilbert Perreault delivered one of the most electrifying performances in Buffalo Sabres history, one that still hasn’t been matched. In a high-scoring showdown against the California Golden Seals, Perreault piled up an incredible seven points, setting a franchise record that remains untouched decades later.

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Highlights

• Gilbert Perreault records 7 points in one game (Sabres franchise record)

• Performance came in a 9-5 win over the California Golden Seals

• Danny Gare scores a hat trick (10 shots on goal)

• Rene Robert contributes 5 points in the same game

• Perreault records 2 goals and 5 assists

• All Sabres goals scored against Gary Simmons

• Game featured 14 total goals between both teams

• Part of Perreault’s 113-point career season in 1975-76

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The game, played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, ended in a wild 9-5 Sabres victory. While teammates Danny Gare (hat trick) and Rene Robert (five points) had standout nights of their own, they were ultimately overshadowed by Perreault’s dominant performance.

Buffalo got on the board early with Robert scoring the lone goal of the first period, assisted by Perreault and Jocelyn Guevremont. The second period saw the offense erupt, with the Sabres netting four goals. Perreault contributed with assists on goals by Gare and Jacques Richard, helping Buffalo seize control of the game.

The third period belonged entirely to Perreault. He assisted on two more Gare goals, including one with just four seconds left, while also scoring twice himself, bringing his season totals to 28 and 29 goals. All nine Sabres goals came against goaltender Gary Simmons, who faced relentless pressure throughout the night.

Perreault’s seven-point outing stands as the pinnacle of a remarkable career that included multiple six-point games. During the 1975-76 season, he posted a career-best 44 goals and 113 points. Surprisingly, despite such dominance, he finished tied for just seventh in Hart Trophy voting alongside Pete Mahovlich of the Montreal Canadiens.

"Then Perreault Said to Rico…": The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told

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Gilbert Perreault’s First NHL Goal: The Moment That Launched the Buffalo Sabres

When the Buffalo Sabres entered the NHL in 1970, they needed a cornerstone. They found one immediately in Gilbert Perreault.

Selected first overall at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, Perreault arrived with enormous expectations and wasted no time delivering.

A Historic First Goal

On October 10, 1970, the Sabres played their very first NHL game on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the legendary Civic Arena (The Igloo).

With the game tied 1-1 heading into the third period, history unfolded.

At 11:26 of the final frame, Perreault scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Les Binkley. The goal came on the power play, with Greg Polis serving a tripping penalty, and was assisted by Kevin O'Shea and Gerry Meehan.

That single moment carried historic weight:

• First goal of Perreault’s Hall of Fame career (512 total)

• First power-play goal in Sabres history

• First game-winning goal in franchise history

Buffalo went on to win 2-1.

Crozier’s Early Backbone

While Perreault provided the spark, goaltender Roger Crozier was just as vital to the victory.

Facing heavy pressure, Crozier stopped 35 of 36 shots, backstopping the expansion Sabres to their first-ever win. Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings, he would serve as Buffalo’s primary goaltender during their formative years.

Reality Hits But a Star Emerges

Despite the dream start, expansion reality quickly set in.

The Sabres stumbled badly after opening night, enduring a brutal 1-11-1 stretch in which they were outscored 57-17 and shut out three times.

But even through the struggles, one constant remained: Perreault’s brilliance.

He finished his rookie season with 38 goals, capturing the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. His performance helped Buffalo avoid last place, finishing fifth in the seven-team East Division.

"Then Perreault Said to Rico…": The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told

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Don Luce’s Only NHL Hat Trick Gives the French Connection the Night Off

When the Buffalo Sabres visited the Capital Centre on December 22, 1974, all eyes were on the famed French Connection. Washington’s expansion Capitals keyed in on slowing Gilbert Perreault, René Robert, and Rick Martin. For the most part, they succeeded. What they didn’t account for was the damage done by Buffalo’s secondary line.

With Washington desperate for just its fourth win in the first 35 games of its inaugural season, and the Sabres rolling with only six losses in their first 33 contests of 1974-75, holding Buffalo to four goals was an achievement in itself. But one Sabre made those four count. Don Luce.

Luce, skating alongside Craig Ramsay and Bill Hajt, recorded the only hat trick of his NHL career in a dominant two-period stretch. He first contributed with an assist on the game-winning goal, a shorthanded marker by Ramsay at 19:53 of the opening period. Then came the second.

At 9:59, Luce opened the scoring himself, netting his 17th goal of the season at even strength, the only even-strength tally of the game. With Gilbert Perreault in the penalty box later in the period, Luce struck again, this time shorthanded at 13:25, beating Ron Low with help from Ramsay.

Just 23 seconds later, with Perreault still serving his minor, Luce completed the hat trick. This time, Bill Hajt picked up the assist as Luce capped off a rare offensive outburst. That would be all the scoring on the night. Gary Bromley stopped all 27 shots he faced to earn the shutout, while Low made 37 saves in a losing effort for Washington.

The performance came during a career season for Luce, who finished 1974-75 with 33 goals and 43 assists for 76 points. He added 13 more points in 16 playoff games as the Sabres marched to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers.

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About Don Luce

Don Luce played 894 regular season and 71 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1969-70 and 1981-82 with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Luce had 20+ goals in six seasons, putting up a career best 33 in 1974-75 with Buffalo.

Don Luce NHL Career Stats

Regular Season

Playoffs

Rick Dudley Does All the Damage in Buffalo’s 1974 Shutout Win Over St. Louis

On October 26, 1974, Rick Dudley signaled the start of what would become a career-best NHL season with a dominant performance at the St. Louis Arena. While the Blues focused their defensive attention on Buffalo’s famed French Connection line, it was the trio of Dudley, Peter McNab, and Brian Spencer that delivered all the offense in a 2-0 Sabres victory.

Dudley opened the scoring just over nine minutes into the first period, firing home a power-play goal against St. Louis goaltender John Davidson. McNab and Spencer picked up the assists on the play, which came with Bob Stumpf serving a penalty for elbowing. The goal proved to be the game-winner.

Early in the second period, Dudley struck again. At the 3:13 mark, he buried his second goal of the night, once more set up by McNab and Spencer, to cap the scoring. Those two shots were the only ones to beat Davidson, who turned aside 36 of 38 attempts in a strong but losing effort.

At the other end, Gary Bromley made 21 saves to secure the shutout for Buffalo, marking the first shutout of his NHL career. Dudley’s two-goal night was a snapshot of the offensive impact he would provide all season long.

During the 1974-75 campaign, Dudley posted career highs with 31 goals and 39 assists for 70 points. His standout play earned him Hart Trophy consideration, finishing tied for ninth in voting alongside Bob Nevin of the Los Angeles Kings. Following Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final that spring, Dudley made the jump to the WHA, where he spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Stingers.

About Rick Dudley

Undrafted, Rick Dudley played 309 regular season and 25 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1972-73 to 1980-81 with the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. Dudley also played 270 regular season and four playoff games in the WHA between 1975-76 and 1978-79, all with the Cincinnati Stingers.

In 1972-73 with the Cincinnati Swords in the AHL, Rick led the team with 22 points in the playoffs with the team capturing the Calder Trophy championship. His 40 regular season goals tied him for fifth, 12 behind leader Yvon Lambert.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Rick Dudley

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team drafted Rick Dudley and launched his professional career?

Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs

2. Rick Dudley recorded his highest NHL point total during which season?

1974–75
1972–73
1976–77
1978–79

3. After Buffalo’s Stanley Cup Final appearance, Dudley jumped to the WHA to play for which team?

Edmonton Oilers
Cincinnati Stingers
Houston Aeros
Quebec Nordiques

4. Which NHL honor did Rick Dudley receive votes for following his breakout 1974–75 season?

Hart Memorial Trophy
Selke Trophy
Lady Byng Trophy
Calder Trophy

5. After retiring as a player, Rick Dudley later served the NHL as a:

Referee only
Television broadcaster only
Coach and general manager
League executive only