Breaking down the Buffalo Sabres 2024 preseason schedule

With the NHL Draft and free agency clocking in as the hot topics, sometimes the 2024 preseason schedule can take a back seat. But there’s nothing more exciting than seeing a player on the cusp of making it to the NHL prove their worth during this early part of the season. 

Last year, Zach Benson made waves and ended up snagging a spot in the Sabres lineup when many of us thought he’d go back and dominate in juniors. Maybe his former teammate, Matt Savoie, will join him with the big club this season, or perhaps Isak Rosen or Jiri Kulich will get the nod?

Maybe none of them will, as the Sabres offseason moves could leave no room in the lineup when September rolls around. But even then, we’ll all be anxious to see the Blue and Gold’s latest additions in action. So, let’s check out who they will play in the preseason and when, and let’s break down what you can expect from each opponent. 

What does the Sabres 2024 preseason schedule look like?

The Sabres preseason kicks off on September 21st vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, and they are a team with one goal likely in mind: Find a way to become serious contenders so Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and company can hoist the Stanley Cup at least one more time. We’ll see if there’s a new-look Penguins team heading into Buffalo on September 21st or if they play their role and AHL-caliber players; there’s always the chance we’ll see them when the Sabres head into Pittsburgh on September 24th. 

Buffalo will also play the Columbus Blue Jackets twice, a team that will have a new general manager and bench boss. Columbus is currently one of the worst-kept franchises in hockey, so we’ll be looking at a team trying to become relevant again both on September 23rd and on September 28th. 

The Sabres also play a pair of divisional opponents, starting with a road game on September 26th against the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa also has a new bench boss, Travis Green, who earned the job following a short stint as the New Jersey Devils head coach. 

Buffalo will wrap up the preseason on September 30th vs. the Detroit Red Wings, who played them too well last season. We’ll see if Steve Yzerman makes more additions to what was a borderline playoff group last year and if those potential additions suit up for the preseason finale. For the 2024 preseason, each of the Sabres six games will start at 7 PM.