| 30 July 2009
Hey look! New content! All right, my small hiatus is over and it's time to get back in the swing of daily content.
We've been taking a look at the schedule month-by-month as of late and so far it's been quite a doozy. The Caps can't seem to catch an easy month, but in professional sports is there such a thing? Time to focus on January, where by this time of year the playoff picture begins to take shape and cold-and-hot steaks begin to set in.
Game we're most excited for: Capitals @ Penguins (Jan. 21)
Should be pretty self-explanatory. The rivalry is back in full force after a brief scare early last season that suggested the Capitals only really hated the Flyers. Puhhhleease. It's going to be an all-out war in Pittsburgh's brand-new Consol Energy Arena and any self-respecting Caps fan won't miss it for the world.
Game we couldn't care less about: Capitals @ Lightning (Jan. 12)
Eh, it's another one of those pesky "division" games and by this time I think we're all getting a little sick of Tampa Bay. The novelties of Hedman and Stamkos will likely have worn out and at best you might want to watch in case Ovie tries another hot-stick celebration.
Game we'd most want to travel for: Capitals @ Kings (Jan. 2)
A trip to L.A. to escape the unpredicatable weather in Washington during Bowl Week? I'm in, and not just for hockey.
Single player I'd pay to see that isn't a Capital: Henrik Zetterburg
The Caps host Detroit at home again this January, so why miss out on a chance to see Zetterburg when it's possible the Caps might only face him once and on the road next year?
Team Alex Ovechkin will terrorize: Phoenix Coyotes
It'd be too easy to select another Southeast Division team, so why not select the next best thing, a team that's become an utter three-ring circus for the NHL's failures. Happy hunting, Ovie.
Fan giveaway the Capitals should coordinate: Alex Ovechkin Superskills Shootout bobblehead.
By the numbers
Home and away: Six away, nine at home.
Western Conference foes: Four -- Ducks, Kings, Coyotes, Redwings.
Playoff caliber: Five teams appeared in the 2008-2009 NHL playoffs
Back-to-back: One pair, Jan. 12 (Lightning) and Jan. 13 (Panthers)
Finally the Capitals get what should be a cake-walk month. Of the 15 games to be played, only five of the teams were in the playoffs and many of the remaining are either divisional opponents or rebuilding franchises.
So naturally this means the Capitals will go .500 and give everyone heart attacks because, as everyone knows, the Capitals have a nasty habit of playing down to their competition.
If the Capitals play like an elite team, they'll come out of January with a hefty amount of points, securing themselves a nice foothold in the Southeast as the Olympic break arrives in February.
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