The 2002–03 Buffalo Sabres season was the 33rd season of operation for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. The Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The 72 points accumulated in the regular season was the lowest total for the franchise since the 1986–87 season. Off-season Regular season Final standings Schedule and results |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |1||W||October 10, 2002||5–1 || align="left"| New York Islanders (2002–03) ||1–0–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |2||W||October 12, 2002||6–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||2–0–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |3||L||October 13, 2002||0–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) ||2–1–0–0 || |- align="center" |4||T||October 17, 2002||4–4 OT|| align="left"| New York Rangers (2002–03) ||2–1–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |5||L||October 19, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) ||2–2–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |6||W||October 22, 2002||2–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||3–2–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |7||L||October 25, 2002||1–2 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||3–3–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |8||L||October 26, 2002||2–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||3–4–1–0 || |- align="center" |9||T||October 29, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||3–4–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |10||L||October 31, 2002||0–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||3–5–2–0 || |- |- align="center" |11||T||November 1, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||3–5–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |12||L||November 3, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||3–6–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |13||L||November 7, 2002||0–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||3–7–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |14||L||November 9, 2002||4–6 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||3–8–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |15||L||November 12, 2002||3–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||3–9–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |16||L||November 15, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||3–10–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |17||L||November 16, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||3–11–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" |18||OTL||November 19, 2002||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||3–11–3–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |19||W||November 22, 2002||5–4 || align="left"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||4–11–3–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |20||L||November 23, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||4–12–3–1 || |- align="center" |21||T||November 27, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||4–12–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |22||L||November 29, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||4–13–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |23||L||November 30, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||4–14–4–1 || |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |24||W||December 4, 2002||4–0 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) ||5–14–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"