Stoner Posted April 28, 2006 Report Posted April 28, 2006 April 28, 1980 It's the day before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup semifinals at the Aud between the Sabres and New York Islanders. Since sweeping Chicago in the second round, the Sabres have been idle for over a week. Nursing injuries to Danny Gare, Jim Schoenfeld, Derek Smith and Rick Dudley, the time off seems good. The fear, though, is that the break is the only thing that can slow down the Sabres, who are en feugo long before Sports Center arrived on the scene. Going back to the end of the regular season, the Sabres have lost just twice in 30 games. But the Islanders are on fire, too, since acquiring Butch Goring at the trade deadline, losing only three times over a similar span. The matchup is intriguing. The Isles seem to be on the verge of a Stanley Cup, while the Sabres of the mid 70s are enjoying an Indian Summer of sorts under first year head coach and GM Scotty Bowman. The Sabres finish second overall in the league and win the Adams Division. Gil Perreault scores 40 goals, Rick Martin 45 and Danny Gare 56 to tie for the league lead. Defense? Oh, the Sabres have defense. Goaltenders Don Edwards and Bob Sauve win the Vezina Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL. This looks like Buffalo's year to finally win a Cup, but Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith and company are standing in their way. Adding to the intrigue, the teams had met in 1976 and 1977, the Islanders eliminating the Sabres both times.
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