NHL Predictions: October 22nd Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we’ll look at the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Detroit Red Wings. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions

Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings

2024-25 Season Series: Red Wings 3-1 Sabres

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

How to Watch TV: TNT, HBO Max

Location: KeyBank Center from Buffalo, New York

The Sabres are off to a 2-4 start, much to the dislike of their fans. And the Red Wings are shot out of a cannon to start the year. They’re 5-1, and currently riding a five game win streak. The Red wings haven’t lost since their opening night to Montreal. Since then they’ve rattled off the wins and taken possession of first place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division. The Sabres are coming off of a 4-2 loss to the Canadiens, and the Red Wings are coming off of a 4-2 win over Edmonton.

Both teams share a horribly long playoff drought. The Sabres at 14 years and the Red Wings at nine years. Neither fan base is having a lot of fun as of late, but the Red Wings are in a much better position to change that this year.

The Red Wings Story

Dylan Larkin has looked especially good for the Red Wings to start the year. He has recorded 11 points in the six games so far. Their next closest player is Alex DeBrincat at six points. The Red Wings have only given up 14 goals so far this year in six games, while scoring 20. Cam Talbot has been incredible so far this year in net. With four games played, he’s averaging just 1.78 goals-against-per-game with a .932 save percentage. Then again, it’s early, but those are number one goalie numbers. John Gibson will have to fight to earn the starting position away from Talbot.

Their special teams are excellent so far. They are 22.2% on the power play, where just 18% would have been good enough for league average last year. Also, they are impressively 92.3% on the penalty kill. In their most recent outing their held league superstar, Connor McDavid, in check as McDavid failed to record a point. The Red Wings will look to ride this momentum as far as they can. But don’t expect the Sabres to roll over on national TV.

The Sabres Story

After a miserable 0-3 start, the Sabres rattled off two very impressive victories. Since then they lost a hard fought game on the road in Montreal, and will look to bounce back. Zach Benson paves the way offensively with six points in just three games played since returning from injury. Moreover, Jason Zucker leads the team with three goals. The Sabres will look to Tage Thompson to increase his production as the star forward only has four points in six games so far. This is especially with injuries still plaguing Buffalo.

The special teams in Buffalo have been phenomenal. They are second on the penalty kill with a 95.8%. That’s only one goal on the PK they’ve given up. The penalty kill was zero for 11 through the first three games. Thanks to Josh Doan and a couple others, that percentage has shot up to 26.3%. So both the PK and PP the Sabres have the slight edge over the Red Wings in.

The real story in Buffalo has been Alex Lyon. Lyon is fantastic. He has played all six of the Sabres games this year and will likely play against his former team. With a .924 sove percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average, he is keeping the Sabres in every game they play. The Sabres will need him to come up big once again in Buffalo if they want to beat the Red Wings.

Prediction

The Sabres need to win these types of games at home. Lyon will be a huge factor in this game, riding his highly impressive play.

Prediction: Sabres win 4-2.

Prop Bets of the Night

Larkin is hot to start the year. Look for him to keep it going with an anytime goal. And now that the power play is finally firing in Buffalo, look for Thompson to be a goal scorer on the man advantage. He has yet to connect on a one time bomb like we normally see for him, he’ll find it in this game.

Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

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