Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 45

Mar 24, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) go after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) go after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres were forced to watch their brethren, the Buffalo Bills, take a tough loss on Monday Night Football to a heated division rival.

Okay, so it’s time to get ultra-bold with Prediction #45 as we slowly move to the 30-day mark before the puck drops on October 12th. As you know, the Buffalo Bills lost one in overtime to their AFC East rival, the New York Jets, and it’s never fun to lose those contests, even early in the year.

But whatever: the Bills have a chance at redemption when they host Gang Green on November 19th, and hopefully, we see a different result. In the meantime, the Sabres face the New York teams on opening night, plus two days later on October 14th. They also play the New Jersey Devils on October 27th, who are also part of the New York metropolitan market – just don’t say that to their fanbase!!

Buffalo Sabres beat all three New York/Jersey teams in October 2023

While my October 2023 prediction doesn’t reflect this, the Buffalo Sabres now have some added motivation to beat not one, not two, but all three New York/Jersey area teams in a 15-day span before the Bills play host to the Jets in November. Technically speaking, they will play four games against the New York/Jersey teams next month, giving them two cracks against the Islanders.

I noted in my previous piece that the Sabres already have a plethora of reasons to skate into KeyBank Center and take one vs. the Rangers. But now, they can get not one, but up to four games over on the New York/Jersey teams. And there would be no better way to kick off the season and perhaps even show everyone the best and most entertaining team in and around the State of New York resides on the shores of Lake Erie and the banks of the Niagara River.

Buffalo takes three of the four games against the New York/Jersey teams, earning one win apiece against the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils. Oh, and as a bonus, the Bills will avenge their own loss to Gang Green when the two square off again.