NHL Preseason - 10/1/22 - NHL Picks & Predictions

Undefeated teams as well as winless one take to the ice on Saturday as the NHL continues its preseason schedule as we reach October with the start of the 2022-23 NHL regular season last than a week ago. Organizations are attempting to whittle their rosters down to the limit before the openign faceoff on October 7.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres

On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins play their fourth game of the NHL preseason when visiting the Buffalo Sabres. Pittsburgh is 1-2 through the first three games. The Penguins opened with a victory over Columbus but have lost each of the last two with one loss to Columbus and the other to the Detroit Red Wings. Buffalo looks for its third victory of the preseason win hosting Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Sabres opened with victories over the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers before losing their first game when falling to the Columbus Blue Jackets  4-1.

Penguins at Sabres Winner Prediction: Sabres

Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins

On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers play their fourth game of the preseason when visiting the Boston Bruins. Philadelphia opened its preseason with a victory over the Bruins, but has lost each of the last two when falling to Buffalo 2-1 following a loss to the Washington Capitals of 3-1. Boston has played only two games of its preseason schedule. The Bruins opened with a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers but followed that with a 3-2 victory at home over the New York Rangers.

Flyers at Bruins Winner Prediction: Bruins

Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes

The Florida Panthers play the fourth game of their NHL pre-season schedule on Saturday when visiting the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida is 1-2 through three games after opening with a 4-3 victory over Nashville followed by a 4-0 loss to Nashville and a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Carolina has won each of its first two games of the preseason after opening with a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning followed by a 5-2 win on the road against Florida. The Hurricanes will continue their fine play on Saturday with a second consecutive victory over the Panthers.

Panthers at Hurricanes Winner Prediction: Hurricanes

Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators

The Montreal Canadiens look for their first victory of the preseason when visiting the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Montreal has lost each of its first three games. The Canadiens have lost to the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. Ottawa has lost two of its first three games of the preseason. The Senators opened with a 4-1 loss to Toronto followed by a 4-2 victory over the Maple Leafs but lost to Winnipeg 4-3. The Senators playing at home Saturday will take care of business against the rebuilding Canadiens. 

Canadiens at Senators Winner Prediction: Senators

Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals play their third game of the preseason schedule on Saturday when visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Washington is 1-1 after opening the preseason with a 4-3 loss to Buffalo followed by a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Columbus is 2-2 through its first four games of the preseason. The Blue Jackets have lost to Pittsburgh and St Louis sandwiched around victories over the Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres. Columbus has seen far more ice time than has Washington playing double the number of games and will win on its home ice Saturday.

Capitals at Blue Jackets Winner Prediction: Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars at St Louis Blues

The Dallas Stars play the fourth game of the preseason on Saturday when visiting the St. Louis Blues. Dallas is 1-2, following a 4-0 loss to St Louis opening the preseason, followed by a 4-3 victory over Arizona and a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. St Louis looks for its fifth consecutive victory to start the preseason when hosting Dallas on Saturday. St Louis has allowed just seven goals through its first four games with one shutout. The Blues will make it five straight wins with another strong effort on both ends of the ice on Saturday.

Stars at Blues Winner Prediction: Blues

Edmonton Oilers at  Winnipeg Jets

The Edmonton Oilers will complete a back-to-back on Saturday when visiting the Winnipeg Jets after hosting the Calgary Flames on Friday. Edmonton is 1-2 in the preseason following a 4-0 victory over Winnipeg to open the preseason, followed by losses to Seattle and Calgary by a combined score of 7-0. Winnipeg is 2-1 in its preseason. The Jets opened with a 4-0 loss to Edmonton but followed that with a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators and a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Winnipeg is rounding into regular season form and will win at home on Saturday.

Oilers at Jets Winner Prediction: Jets 

Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks

The Detroit Red Wings will complete a back-to-back on Saturday when visiting the Chicago Blackhawks after hosting the Washington Capitals on Friday. Detroit is 1-1 in the preseason after opening with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins followed by a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago is 1-1 following its opening game loss of 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues followed by a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Chicago will be at home and well rested, while Detroit will be playing its second game in as many nights. Take the Blackhawks.

Red Wings at Blackhawks Winner Prediction: Blackhawks

Vancouver Canucks at Seattle Kraken

The Vancouver Canucks look for their first victory of the NHL preseason when visiting the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. Vancouver has lost each of its first free games of the preseason, with two losses to Calgary and one loss to Seattle. Vancouver has allowed an average of 4.33 goals per game in their three games played thus far. Seattle looks for a second victory over Vancouver in two days when hosting the Canucks on Saturday. Seattle defeated Vancouver 4-3 on Thursday. Seattle is 3-0 through three games of its preseason with victories over Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Look for Seattle to continue its strong play and defeat Vancouver for a second straight time.

Canucks at Kraken Winner Prediction: Kraken