Buffalo Sabres: 3 bold predictions for Week 1 of the 2022-23 season

The Buffalo Sabres kick off their 2022-23 season with a home game against the new-look Ottawa Senators. Here are three bold predictions for the week. 

This week, the regular season begins, and the Buffalo Sabres open things up on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators before a dance with the Florida Panthers on October 15th. And with the season starting on Thursday, it is time to bring back those weekly bold predictions between the Sabres and their opponents.

Sure, I can bore you with making realistic projections, but why not add to that already high dose of optimism and go bold? Without further ado, let’s get cracking.

1 – Buffalo Sabres defeat Ottawa by two goals

Alex DeBrincat and company are responsible for turning the Senators into projected contenders from some outlets. Unfortunately, learning curves exist for established players in new systems. And for as young as guys like DeBrincat are, they also have extensive NHL experience playing elsewhere.

This spells out a golden opportunity for the Buffalo Sabres. And as unkind as some outlets have been predicting their season, don’t expect the Sabres to roll over in this one. Buffalo still has an advantage in the fact that they have more experience playing together as a unit, and will come out on top this time with a statement win.

2 – Jack Quinn nails the go-ahead goal against Ottawa

I’ve said it many times, but Jack Quinn can score 60 this season. And in that two-goal win against Ottawa, why not predict the newest top six forward on the team to receive the honor of finding twine that will put the Buffalo Sabres up late 4-3.

So who will score that empty-netter to cap things off? J.J. Peterka could be a good bet there, and he will seal the deal for Buffalo. Call it an ending of storybook fashion, but really, it’s just chapter one of an 82-game gauntlet.

3 – Rasmus Dahlin scores twice, logs four hits, and two takeaways

And finally, one of the Buffalo Sabres latest captains will make his presence known in a big way. Dahlin, who finally scratched out a spot in the top 20 among NHL defenseman, will further put the league on notice with a couple of scores, some physical play, and creating a few turnovers against Ottawa and Florida.

Okay, so perhaps this final prediction is more realistic than bold. But at least we will know that Dahlin’s magical 2021-22 season was no fluke in the early running.