In another sign that the next hockey season is rapidly approaching, the Buffalo Sabres have released their preseason schedule ahead of the 2021-22 NHL season. The six-game exhibition slate will see the Sabres face home-and-home series with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Sabres will open their preseason on Tuesday, September 28 in Columbus for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Two days later, they’ll square off with the Red Wings in Detroit at 7:30 p.m.
Their next two preseason games will be held at KeyBank Center, with 7 p.m. faceoffs against the Penguins (October 1) and Blue Jackets (October 4). After a road tilt in Pittsburgh on October 5, Buffalo closes out their preseason by hosting the Red Wings on Saturday, October 9 at 3 p.m.
Here’s the full schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 28 (@ CBJ), 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 30 (@ DET), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1 (vs. PIT), 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 4 (vs. CBJ), 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 5 (@ PIT), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 9 (vs. DET), 3 p.m.
It’s reasonable to anticipate, then, that the team’s training camp will begin the week prior – the week of September 20, with players arriving in Buffalo, getting their physicals & beginning on- and off-ice training. The regular season will likely begin the week of October 11.
The full NHL regular season schedule is anticipated to be released this week. There may be two versions of the schedule released: one with an Olympic break, and one without, as player involvement in the Olympics remains up in the air.