The Buffalo Sabres announced that their home opener will be played on October 10, 2008 at HSBC Arena against division rival Montreal Canadiens. They also announced that that they will play home and home series against three Western Conference opponents. The NHl obviously doesn't like the Sabres because they will play the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes. The Ducks and Red Wings are the past two Stanley Cup Champions and the Coyotes are a young team that is on the rise. The rest of the schedule will announced at noon on Thursday.
I did a little research on the Sabres Pre-Season schedule as well and I have found only two games so far. They will play the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 22 and the Detroit Red Wings on October 5. In addition they will not be playing against the Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals.
Regular Season
10/10 Montreal Canadiens
2/24 Anaheim Ducks
3/3 Phoenix Coyotes
4/6 Detroit Red Wings
Pre-Season
9/22 Toronto Maple Leafs
10/5 Detroit Red Wings