Rick Martin averaged two points/game as he helped lead the ’79-’80 Sabres to the Qualifying Final. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The reigning representatives got off to a great start with Rick Martin scoring just eight seconds into the game, which was the first of five goals in the opening period of Game 1. The 3rd-seeded ’79-’80 Sabres took the opening game 7-5 with Danny Gare and Ric Seiling both notching three-point games. The 7th-seeded ’75-’76 Sabres responded with a 6-4 win in Game 2 as Peter McNab totaled a goal and three assists to lead the way. Then, in Game 3, the ’79-’80 Sabres scored three goals in the first to propel them to a 6-3 win. Martin netted two goals to lead the way, but he was just one of 11 players for the ’79-’80 Sabres to register a point, six of which registered multi-point games. The ’79-’80 Sabres then scored four goals in the second period of Game 4 to lead them to a 5-1 win. Gilbert Perreault and defenseman Richie Dunn both posted three-point games to lead the reigning reps to a 3-1 series lead. The 79-’80 Sabres completed the series win with a 4-1 win in Game 5. Perreault, again, posted a three-point game to lead the way offensively.

GAME 1:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’79-’80 BUF – 7   ’75-’76 BUF – 5   (1-0   ’79-’80 BUF)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: RW – Danny Gare (’79-’80 BUF) – 1 G   2 A   3 P   +3   5 S

2nd Star: LW – Rick Martin (’79-’80 BUF) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   5 S

3rd Star: RW – Ric Seiling (’79-’80 BUF) – 1 G   2 A   3 P   +1   2 S

GAME 2:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’75-’76 BUF – 6   ’79-’80 BUF – 4   (1-1)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Peter McNab (’75-’76 BUF) – 1 G   3 A   4 P   +3   3 S

2nd Star: LW – Rick Martin (’75-’76 BUF) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +3   9 S

3rd Star: LW – Rick Martin (’79-’80 BUF) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +1   5 S

GAME 3:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’79-’80 BUF – 6   ’75-’76 BUF – 3   (2-1   ’79-’80 BUF)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: LW – Rick Martin (’79-’80 BUF) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   5 S   2 PIM

2nd Star: RW – Ric Seiling (’79-’80 BUF) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   5 S

3rd Star: LW – Craig Ramsay (’79-’80 BUF) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   2 S

GAME 4:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’79-’80 BUF – 5   ’75-’76 BUF – 1   (3-1   ’79-’80 BUF)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Gilbert Perreault (’79-’80 BUF) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +3   5 S   2 PIM

2nd Star: D – Richie Dunn (’79-’80 BUF) – 0 G   3 A   3 P   +2   1 S

3rd Star: G – Don Edwards (’79-’80 BUF) – W   1.00 GAA   .971 SV% (33 SV’s)

GAME 5:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’79-’80 BUF – 4   ’75-’76 BUF – 1   (4-1   ’79-’80 BUF)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Gilbert Perreault (’79-’80 BUF) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +2   6 S   2 PIM

2nd Star: RW – Danny Gare (’79-’80 BUF) – 1 G   0 A   1 P   +2   8 S

3rd Star: LW – Rick Martin (’79-’80 BUF) – 0 G   2 A   2 P   +1   1 S

This sets up a 2015 Buffalo Sabres Qualifying Final between the top-seeded ’74-’75 Sabres and the reigning representatives, the 3rd-seeded ’79-’80 Sabres!