Preseason Warm-Up

 We are back for another season of Capitals hockey. For the second time in ten years, the NHL begins the slate in January, although this time it was not due to a labor stoppage (Gary Bettman has been thoroughly impressive in leading the NHL through these tough times, and deservedly gets a shout out from a blog that has not been friendly to him. 

This time around, we are looking at a 56 game season, with the Capitals matched up with Metropolitan Division rivals Penguins, Flyers, Islanders, Rangers, and Devils, along with the Sabres and Bruins joining from the Atlantic. There will be an 8-game season series with each opponent, consisting (mostly) of back-to-back match-ups in one city, starting off with Buffalo on the 14th and 15th. Due to the proximity of the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils, the Capitals will have a five game set from March 30th through April 6th, facing the Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Devils, and Islanders in order. The season long 6 game road swing between April 17th and 27th features end caps against the Flyers, and back-to-backs with the Bruins and Islanders in between. The only other quirk is a one-off with the Rangers in New York on February 4th. 

There are five back-to-backs; three at home and two on the road. The first of those back-to-backs is the season opening set, played on the road. The second road back-to-back is against the Islanders and Devils in the aforementioned five game road swing where the team will presumably stay at the same hotel for 8 or 9 nights straight. That sounds like a lot fun with no room service or housekeeping.

 And in what has become a favorite tradition (in this household, at least), the Capitals will play a matinee on Super Bowl Sunday, this time hosting the Flyers. With the Wizards off, the odds are good that the Capitals will be the only local team playing. It's possible. But it's not likely.

To no one's surprise, the Capitals boast both one of the hardest schedules, and one of the lightest travel schedules. And to that, we raise a glass. Because there's nothing else to do.