Photo: Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals have revealed their schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 regular season, the first under new head coach Spencer Carberry. In this article we will look at some key anecdotes and histories of the upcoming 82-game campaign.
The Caps will play 82 games in a 187-day period, starting their season against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on October 13, 2023.
March against the penguins
The 2023-24 season opener will mark the second time in the Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby era that the Caps and Pens have opened their regular season against each other (the other came in the first game of the 2016-17 season); In the 49-year history of the Capitals, they have faced Pittsburgh only six other times, in the first game of the 1975-76 season (4-2 loss), the 1977-78 season (2-1 win), the 1986-87 season (5-4 loss), and the 1986-87 season (5-4 loss). 1988-89 (6-4 loss), 1990-91 season (7-4 loss), and the aforementioned 2016-17 season (3-2 shootout loss).
Cumulatively, the Capitals were 1-4-1 in their season-opening match-ups against the Penguins.
On the road again and again
When the Capitals schedule calls for a trip to play the Western clubs, fans return to the DMV to either catch up on game action and scores the next morning, or stay up late with plenty of caffeine. This season, the locker will be full of just that as the Capitals swing two Westerns for one season and five games.
The first series of matches will take place from November 27 to December 4, when the Caps will face the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks (Stanley Cup holders), Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes, in two sets, 10:30. ET, Monday starts at 10:00, and starts at 9:00 p.m. The second will come March 11-18, against the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.
As is tradition…
The Capitals will again have their traditional game on Super Bowl Sunday, this time facing the Vancouver Canucks on February 11, 2024. Washington fell 4-1 on Super Bowl Sunday this past season against the San Jose Sharks. The Buffalo Sabers will visit Capital One Arena the day before Thanksgiving (November 22, 2023), and the Edmonton Oilers will come to town on Black Friday.
The club will also take time off during the annual NHL All-Star Game break, from January 28 to February 4, 2024.
home sweet home
While the Capitals will be away from the Capital One Arena for extended periods of time this season, Alex Ovechkin and Co. will enjoy the pleasant amenities of the Washington faithful during four stadiums with at least four games each (including two with five contests). The team finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 18-16-7, though it went 12-5-5 when it registered first.
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The 2023 NHL Entry Draft begins in the 2023 season, with the Capitals selected eighth overall. While it’s yet to be decided who the team picks, it’s possible free agency and next season’s roster make-up are already in motion.
🚨 that @tweet The 2023-24 schedule is here
It all starts with opening night against Pittsburgh at Capital One Arena
More via @tweet: https://t.co/xUO86YqNjs
– NBC Sports Capitals (NBCSCapitals) June 27, 2023
By Michael Fleetwood