A Look At The Schedule

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A Look At The Schedule - December

Written by CK

Monday, 20 July 2009 00:21

We've already seen October and November, so now it's time to take a look at December's schedule for the best and worst games of the month.

DecemberSchedule

Game we're most looking forward to: Capitals @ Canucks (Fri. Dec. 18)
The last time the Capitals took on the Canucks, they set an all-time of 10 shots against their goaltenders Brent Johnson. We'd like to think there's a payback storyline in there, but frankly, the Canucks are just worth staying up for. The Canucks are a top-tier team featuring the tandem of Henrik and Daniel Sedin, as well as world-class goaltender Roberto Luongo. Definitely a game to burn the midnight oil to.

Game we couldn't care less about: Capitals @ Lightning (Mon. Dec. 7)
Well, there's Stamkos and Hedman, but aside from that, Bolts games aren't generally "must see T.V." The Caps dominated the Bolts in all six games last season, and it shouldn't be much different this season. So unless your hoping for another hot-stick celebration, if you miss this due to some lame-Christmas Holiday party at work, don't feel too bad.

Game we'd love to travel to: Capitals @ Avalanche (Tues. Dec. 15)
I hear Colorado is beautiful this time of year, with all that -- snow. Regardless of whether or not we're actually dreaming of skiing on the Rockies, the Avalanche have rookie forward Matt Duchene, and like Hedman and Tavares, he should live up to his hype. It's a Western Conference game in a winter playground. Take the week off, ski, watch some hockey, relax. That's what I'd do anyway.

Single player I'd pay to see that isn't a Capital: Marty Brodeur (Wed. Dec. 26)
He'll have already been to Verizon Center once this season, but this month has some slim-pickings. You could see Duchene if you wanted to travel, Pronger if you hit the road as well, but after his record-setting season last year, Marty is worth the ticket. He's a living hockey legend and what better a way to celebrate Christmas with him than to remind him that goals one, two, three and four were "all his fault."

Team Alex Ovechkin will likely terrorize: Carolina Hurricanes

Games with intriguing storylines: The week of December 15th through December 19th. The Capitals take a three-game road trip to the Western Conference against a low, middle and top of the pack teams. Last time they did this, they came home bruised, bloodied and relying on Hershey defenders to help them through the month.

Fan giveaway the Capitals promotions staff should coordinate: Capitals snuggies, just because. (Panthers @ Capitals, Thu. Dec. 3)

By the numbers

Divisional matchups: Four
Western Conference matchups: Four
Playoff caliber: Five teams on the December schedule appeared in the playoffs. The Capitals play one of them, the Hurricanes, twice.

Home and away: Five home games/Eight away games
Back-to-backs: Two - Canes and Leafs (Dec. 11 - Dec. 12) -- Oilers and Canucks (Dec. 18 - Dec. 19)
Burning the midnight oil: Four games will start after 9 p.m. this month. Get your pre-game nap schedule ready.

On paper, it shouldn't be the hardest month of the year, but the eight road games changes that. While five of the teams that they'll meet this month didn't qualify for the playoffs, the remaining four are no pushovers, especially when you'll being seeing two of them in their barn (Sharks and 'Nucks).'

This month also presents a chance for the Capitals to start the process of putting the nail in the coffin on the Southeast Division.. The meetings with the Bolts and Cats should prove to go the Capitals way, but two meetings at home with the Hurricanes will be their biggest competition. If the Capitals can claim those four points from the Canes, the Division would be theirs to lose for the rest of the season.

Plain and simple, the Capitals will need to become road warriors, especially on their three-game trip to the Western Conference.