Sabres Classics: Mogilny's record season continues against Maple Leafs

We've talked a lot about the rivalry between the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs already and on Wednesday's edition of "Sabres Classics" on MSG, we'll be diving back into it.

At 8 p.m., fans will be able to catch a game between the two clubs from Dec. 20, 1992 at The Aud.

The 1992-93 season was certainly one to remember in NHL history.

Twenty-one players recorded at least 100 points, led by Mario Lemieux with 160. Sabres forwards Pat LaFontaine (second with 148 points, a franchise record), Alexander Mogilny (T-7 th with 127), Dave Andreychuk (22nd with 99 in a split season with Buffalo and Toronto) and Dale Hawerchuk (26th with 96) were among the league leaders.

Fourteen skaters hit the 50-goal plateau. Mogilny finished the season with a franchise-record 76 goals. He and rookie Teemu Selanne shared the league lead. LaFontaine scored 53 and Andreychuk, who was traded in February, ended up with 54.

How we got here

Despite being just a two-hour drive apart, Buffalo and Toronto were in different divisions from 1981 until 1998. The Maple Leafs were even slotted in the Western Conference for a number of years. That said, things were still pretty intense whenever these clubs met.

When the two clubs met on Dec. 20, Buffalo was 13-14-6 and was coming off a 4-2 loss in Montreal. The Maple Leafs were 13-14-4 and had defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1 the night before.

Entering the game, Mogilny had missed six of the team's 36 games but he already had 24 goals.

The game

Spoilers ahead... The Maple Leafs took the lead 1:34 into the game with a goal from Glenn Anderson. LaFontaine tied things up early in the second, but Toronto's Doug Gilmour put the road team ahead again almost immediately.

Then, a wild six-goal third period ensued. The teams traded goals before Bob Sweeny gave Buffalo a 4-3 lead 9:48 into the final frame. But Dave McLlwain tied things up with 2:31 remaining in regulation.

Mogilny then delivered in the clutch with 1:17 left in regulation, potting his 25th goal of the season and putting Buffalo ahead 5-4.

Molginy and LaFontaine each recorded a goal and an assist. Dominik Hasek outdueled future teammate Grant Fuhr, making 27 saves to Fuhr's 36. Fuhr ended up coming to Buffalo in the trade later that season that sent Andreychuk to Toronto.

What happened next

The Sabres finished the season with 86 points (38-36-10), good for fourth place in the Adams Division, setting up a first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins.

Video: Captains: Pat LaFontaine on Monday's edition of "Sabres Classics."