A Look At The Schedule - November

Written by CK | 16 July 2009

Continuing where we left off, we turn our attention to November in our look at the Capitals schedule and the games you simply can't miss, don't care about and other odds and ends.

CapsScheduleNov

Game we're most excited for: Capitals @ Canadiens (Nov. 28)
If the Olympic Stadium rumors come true, this is the game to watch. It's a game in arguably hockey's greatest city, 56,000 fans screaming and a chance for Alex Ovechkin and company to crash Montreal's 100th anniversary celebration of the Habs. Even if the Olympic Stadium venue doesn't happen, the Habs have given the Caps some thrilling games and Ovechkin has scored some of his best goals against the blue, blanc et rouge.

Game we couldn't care less about: Capitals @ Devils (Nov. 4)
Choosing a game this month was a little bit harder than October. It's a middle-of-the-week game against the defensively-minded Devils. Sure, the hard-core fan would enjoy a chess match of a hockey game, but considering this would be meeting two of three in two months, it'd take some real fireworks to liven up the game. You can pretty much watch the highlights and know what the whole game was about.

Game we'd most likely travel for: Capitals @ Canadiens (Nov. 28) or Capitals @ Hurricanes (Nov. 30)
The why for the Canadiens game should make perfect sense -- Olympic Stadium, but the Hurricanes present a totally different reason to hit the road. What better a way to escape the cold air and holiday traffic in D.C. than a trip to Raleigh for some Carolina BBQ and hockey? Plus, the Canes are the only clear contender for the Caps Southeast Division crown, so you're likely to see a competitive game.

Single player I'd pay to see that isn't a Capital: Rick Nash (Blue Jackets)
He's a gifted two-way player with exciting offensive zone rushes and a great young team around him. The Blue Jackets don't always come to D.C., but given the level of hockey they are playing now, you don't want to miss Nash this season.

Team Alex Ovechkin will likely terrorize: Montreal Canadiens

Games with intriguing storylines: The Capitals won the Southeast but the Canes went farther in the playoffs; who's the real king of the division? (Nov. 30). Columbus comes to Washington with a superstar and young-gun goalie of their own. (Nov. 4)

Fan giveaway the Caps promotions staff should co-ordinate: Water bottle night. (Rangers @ Capitals, Nov. 17)

By the numbers

Sets of back-to-back games: Two, Capitals and Panthers, and Wild and Devils.

Divisional games: Three, a set against the Panthers and a game against the Canes.
Western Conference foes: Two: Wild and Blue Jackets
Saturday night's all right: Four games are played on Saturday nights this month, with at least one of them scheduled to be on Hockey Night in Canada. Consider those four games sellouts.

Playoff caliber: Five teams appeared in the NHL playoffs last season - Devils (3rd seed), Hurricanes (6th seed), Rangers (7th seed), Canadiens (8th seed), Blue Jackets (7th seed).

No rest for the weary: The Capitals have two breaks in the action this month, a month that features nearly a game every other day. The first break is from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3 and the second is from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10.

Home and away: 6 at home, 8 on the road.

It's a considerably easier month than October, but it's also chock-full of teams you don't want to fall asleep on.

The Maple Leafs, Sabres, Panthers and Wild may have missed the playoffs last year, but they aren't necessarily guaranteed lottery picks this season. The Capitals have the ability to lose sight of the greater goal when facing lesser talent, so don't be surprised if the Caps lose a few "gimmes."

A smattering of Atlantic Division opponents should keep the Caps honest, and a visit from Columbus should provide the fans and the team some excitement. Rick Nash, Steve Mason, and Nikita Filatov should be leading a young, competitive Blue Jackets squad into town against a Capitals club that is considered among the NHL's elite, and the Caps generally respond well to a challenge.

October is a gauntlet of top teams and if the Caps exit the first frame of the year in bad shape, November should prove to be an excellent time to regroup and rebound.