The Washington Capitals 2021-22 schedule has dropped and while the length will be a little similar to last season with the built in Olympic break, one thing is certain: we are heading back to normal for an 82 game season!
The Caps will begin with a three game homestand right off the bat with contests against the New York Rangers, the back to back defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the defending President’s Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche.
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There was actually two versions of the NHL schedule that were determined as the league is still finalizing whether or not their players will participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Their decision is based on whether the novel coronavirus either improves or worsens.
Six of Washington’s eight games in the month of October are on home ice. The NHL’s All Star break will precede the Olympic break which will give the Caps and all 32 NHL teams a three week gap. They’ll host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 2 and then have a break until Feb. 24 when they open up a two game road trip against the Blueshirts in New York.
The Caps first trip to Seattle to take on the league’s newest team on Nov. 21 which will cap off a four game road trip. The Kraken come to the District on March 5. The Caps will play only 26 games in the Metropolitan Division instead of 28 like they have in years past since there’s two additional games now against a non conference opponent.
The Rangers come to D.C. only once which will take place on opening night. The Caps host the New Jersey Devils twice but only go to Newark once this season in October. The Caps longest homestand will take place on Dec. 2-10 where they’ll play four games. The Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will all come to town. The Caps host the Penguins for the first time on Nov. 14.
The Caps longest road trip of the season comes late in the regular season from April 14-22 that will be spread through eastern Canada and the southwestern part of the United States. It begins in Toronto against the Maple Leafs and proceeds to the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado, Vegas Golden Knights, and Arizona Coyotes.
Overall, I’m very excited the NHL is going back to an 82 game season and that things are beginning to go back to normal. Hopefully the season will play out successfully.