| 15 July 2009
By now you've probably learned that the Capitals 2009-2010 schedule has been released. It's on the official Web site and you're either salivating for hockey to start again or you're going to ignore the news and then act surprised when the Capitals open on the road (but I thought we always open at home!!!!).
Of course, you can look at the schedule as a list of games you can or can't attend, or you can look at it as a reason to get up in the morning and drag your behind through work. I'm assuming many of us choose the latter when it's hockey season and so that's why we're going to take a look at each month individually to analyze and critique the schedule the NHL has handed down to the Caps.
Game we're most excited for: Sharks @ Capitals.
It may not be the first "litmus test" that the Capitals face this year, but it could very well be a matchup between two Stanley Cup contenders from each conference. San Jose simply shellacked the Capitals in their meeting last year, but this time it's at home and the Caps will have plenty of rest before going Shark hunting. Some might feel that the Flyers or Rangers matchup is more exciting, but considering this is the Caps one-and-only shot at the Sharks only home game against the Sharks (there's one at the Tank too) unless they meet in the Finals, I'd say there's plenty to look forward to.
Game we couldn't care less about: Capitals @ Thrashers
Besides Ilya Kovalchuk, Evander Kane and the fact that they're a Southeast Division opponent, the Thrashers don't bring much emotion to the ice thanks to their basement-dwelling status. Southeast Division opponents are like bad relatives, you see them more often than you want and there's only a few times you're genuinely excited they're in town -- and no, this is not some vague shot at my relatives.
Game I'd most want to travel for: Capitals @ Red Wings
You may not be able to get tickets to see the Caps at home, but I'm pretty sure you can get a seat at the Joe. Plus it's just one great atmosphere to view a hockey game in.
Single player I'd pay to see that isn't a Capital: John Tavares
Like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, Tavares is riding a wave of hype and like summer movie-going fans, we'll watch even if the reviews are terrible. His first visit to Washington is on Oct. 30 and if Islanders bloggers are to be believed, he's going to be worth the ticket.
Team Alex Ovechkin will most likely terrorize this month: New York Islanders
Games with intriguing story-lines: Mike Knuble goes back to Philly; hopefully to deflect a bunch of goals past Ray Emery (Oct. 6) and Donald Brashear faces off against an enforcer-less Washington (Oct. 8)
Fan giveaway the Caps promotions staff should co-ordinate: Ray Emery hat night. (Oct. 27)
Sets of back-to-back games: One, Capitals vs. Thrashers (Oct. 29) and Islanders vs. Capitals (Oct. 30)
Divisional games: Two, both against the Thrashers
Western Conference foes: Three, Sharks, Red Wings, Predators
Prime-time baby: Every game in October starts at 7 p.m. Hope you like routines.
Home/Away: Seven home games, six away games.
Playoff caliber: Six of the nine teams the Capitals face were in the 2008-2009 playoffs.
Top of the pops: The Capitals face the Western Conference's first and second seed and the Eastern Conference's first and third seed from last season in the first seven games.
The first five games alone feature four playoff teams and a Maple Leafs squad that has been retooled to be a winner. There isn't more the four days worth of rest between games so if the Capitals get off on the wrong foot, it could be some time before problems get solved through practice. If the Caps get on a losing streak in October, it would likely be one of the roughest they'd have to endure.
There's only two division games this month, so if the Capitals want to put a quick stranglehold on the division, knocking off some nondivisional opponents that will likely give the Bolts, Cats and Thrash fits would distance themselves nicely.
It's a tough start featuring some of the league's best and it's the type of month that will show how far the Caps have come since their mid-May breakdown.
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