The Washington Capitals already knew they'd be playing in the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on New Year's Day. On Tuesday, the team learned when and where it'll play the rest of its games next season.
Washington hasn’t opened a season at home in five years, and that won’t change this fall. The Capitals will begin their quest for a Stanley Cup on Oct. 8 in Atlanta, marking the third time in four years that the Capitals have begun a campaign against the Thrashers.
Your first chance to "Rock the Red" in the District comes the following night, when Washington hosts the New Jersey Devils to rechristen the ice at the Verizon Center.
Another date worth circling on the calendar is Dec. 23, when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Verizon Center for the first time. That matchup, nine days before the two teams reconvene for the New Year’s Day game, is the first of two home meetings between the fierce rivals.
The Penguins will also be in the nation’s capital on Feb. 6 to play a nationally broadcast Super Bowl Sunday matinee for the second-straight season.
Washington’s longest homestand, four games, will take place from Dec. 4-11. The Capitals’ most grueling road stint is scheduled for February, when the team will play five games in eight days.
The Ducks, Sharks and Blues all come to Washington as part of three home-and-home series the Caps will play against Western Conference adversaries.
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Speaking of the West, the defending conference and Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks will invade the Verizon Center for a national NBC afternoon telecast on Sunday, March 13.
As Mike Vogel of WashingtonCapitals.com points out, the Caps will play 38 of their 82 games over the weekend (Friday-Sunday). He also broke down the team’s schedule by the numbers to show that Saturday (17 games) and Tuesday (15) will be the team’s busiest work days.
November will offer the most chances to see the three-time defending Southeast Division champions in person. Alex Ovechkin and crew will play a season-high nine home games that month.
So, what are you waiting for? Get into the hockey mood early by donning some red, knocking a few of your teeth out and shaving your hair into a well-manicured Mohawk.
Or just start your countdown to Oct. 8.
