Sabres Visit Pittsburgh as NHL Preseason Heats Up

The Sabres head to PPG Paints Arena on September 21st to face the Penguins in what should be a spirited preseason clash. Both clubs are deep into their exhibition schedules, fine-tuning systems and sorting out roster battles before the regular season kicks off in early October.

Buffalo's young core will be looking to build chemistry and prove they're ready to take another step forward after years of playoff disappointment. Expect plenty of ice time for prospects trying to crack the opening night lineup, which means energy but also some defensive breakdowns. The Sabres have speed to burn when they're clicking, but preseason consistency is always a question mark.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is navigating the post-Crosby era planning stages while still leaning on veteran leadership to guide their younger players. The Penguins' exhibition games have been about integrating new faces and seeing who can complement their established stars. Home ice at PPG typically gives them an edge, even in meaningless September hockey.

With no DarkHorse pick published yet, this one's a pure feel game. Preseason hockey is notoriously unpredictable—coaching staffs care more about evaluation than winning. If you're betting this, focus on totals rather than sides. September games tend to run looser defensively, and both teams have offensive weapons worth watching. Just don't mortgage the house on it.