NHL Preseason - Sunday 9/25/22 - NHL Picks & Predictions

The NHL preseason started on Saturday and continues Sunday with a 10-game schedule. Teams are looking at several players at each position, giving young prospects time on the ice and rotating goalies to see which two or three they will keep for the regular season. Therefore, it's not the easiest task in the world to handicap NHL preseason, but here are 10 quick snippets for each game on Sunday.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Pittsburgh Penguins to open their NHL preseason on Sunday with a pair of games. Columbus failed to reach the postseason last year finishing 6th in the Metropolitan Division while Pittsburgh finished third in the division and were defeated by the New York Rangers 4-3 in their first round playoff series. Columbus must focus on giving up fewer goals as the Blue Jackets were 28th in goals against last season.

Blue Jackets at Penguins Winner Prediction: Penguins Game 1, Blue Jackets Game 2

Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals

The Buffalo Sabres visit the Washington Capitals on Sunday to open their NHL preseason. Buffalo finished fifth in the Atlantic division last season and missed the postseason, while Washington finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers. Buffalo was 25th in goals-against last season, while Washington was 12th. Both teams are focusing on better play from the blue line.

Sabres at Capitals Winner Prediction: Capitals

Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild

The Colorado Avalanche visit the Minnesota Wild on Sunday in an NHL preseason matchup. Colorado finished first in the Central Division last season and defeated Tampa Bay to win the Stanley Cup. Minnesota finished second behind Colorado in the Central Division and the Wild were eliminated in the first round of playoffs by the St. Louis Blues. Colorado finished 10th best last season in goals against and Minnesota was 16th. Colorado has one of the best attacks in hockey and will be hard to stop. Colorado will be using a split-squad in this matchup,as the other half of the team will be playing at home against Vegas.

Avalanche at Wild Winner Prediction: Wild

Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes

The Anaheim Ducks visit the desert southwest on Sunday for an NHL preseason game against the Arizona Coyotes. Anaheim finished next to last in the Pacific Division and missed the playoffs, while Arizona was last in the Central Division and also missed the postseason. Anaheim will be looking for more scoring as the Ducks averaged just 2.78 goals per game last season, while Arizona, was even worse averaging only 2.51 goals per game.

Ducks at Coyotes Winner Prediction: Coyotes

Winnipeg Jets at Edmonton Oilers

The Winnipeg Jets visit the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday for an NHL preseason game. Winnipeg finished sixth in the Central Division and did not reach the postseason, while Edmonton finished second in the Pacific Division. The Oilers were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by Colorado. Winnipeg will be focusing on its blue line and goaltending as the Jets allowed an average of 3.06 goals per game last season, while Edmonton also allowed the same number of goals per game but the Oilers scored an average of 3.48 goals per game.

Jets at Oilers Winner Prediction: Oilers

Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks

The Los Angeles Kings head to Northern California on Sunday for an NHL preseason matchup with the San Jose Sharks. The Kings finished third in the Pacific Division last season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. San Jose was sixth in the Pacific Division and did not reach the playoffs. Los Angeles was seventh last season in goals against, but must improve its goal scoring. San Jose scored an average of 2.57 goals per game and were 21st in goals against at 3.18.

Kings at Sharks Winner Prediction: Kings

Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks (2)

The Calgary Flames will play a pair of preseason games on the road Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. Calgary finished first in the Pacific Division last season, but was eliminated by Edmonton in the second round of the playoffs. Vancouver was fifth in the Pacific Division and did not reach the postseason. Calgary had the third best goals against average last season at 2.51 and scored an average of 3.55 goals per game. Vancouver had the eighth best goals against average of 2.82 but scored an average of only 3.00 goals per game.

Flames at Canucks Winner Prediction: Flames win both games

Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche

The Vegas Golden Knights will play on the road Sunday in a NHL preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche. Vegas finished fourth last season in the Pacific Division and the Golden Knights did not make the postseason, while Colorado won the Central division and the Stanley Cup finals. The advantage here goes to Vegas, as Colorado will be playing with a split-squad as part of the team will be playing on the same day against Minnesota. 

Golden Knights at Avalanche Winner Prediction: Golden Knights