Washington Capitals: 3 reasons to get excited for the preseason
The Washington Capitals are off today. Players are getting some downtime before they go in for physicals tomorrow. Thursday will be media day as well as the first on ice training camp session. Believe it or not, the preseason comes this weekend with Washington’s first preseason game taking place on Sunday against the Boston Bruins.
Although the games don’t count, there is a lot to look forward to regarding the preseason. Most of all its the return of hockey and a (knock on wood) return to a normal NHL season as to why I’m excited about the preseason. But there are three more reasons too.
#3 Getting the first look at the entire squad
The beauty of the preseason in any sport is you get to see the entire team’s organizational depth chart from top to bottom. From Alex Ovechkin to Vincent Iorio, you will see these guys lace up their skates and get somewhat of an NHL experience before they return to the minors or overseas to improve their games.
For older prospects and newer ones, the goal at rookie camp is the same: they're all just trying to stand out. #ALLCAPS | @AlibabaGroup pic.twitter.com/JgdJPO4dte
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 20, 2021
It’ll be exciting to see some of these veteran guys on the ice again but at the same time, I hope they get plenty of rest for the season ahead as well. The youth that will get their first taste of preseason action will be in for a treat.
#2 The return of hockey
The second reason to look forward to the preseason is the simple fact that hockey is returning. Things have been a little bit quiet around Washington, D.C. since the Alex Ovechkin contract extension. Granted, the Washington Football Team defeated the New York Giants with Tom Wilson in attendance. The Nationals however, traded everybody it seems like.
Fall is seriously the best season in all of sports. The air is crisp and chill. For you ladies reading this, your pumpkin spice lattes are back. For you hockey nerds (and I am one too, no shame) no matter the gender, this is your chance to see the prospects up close and in person (or from your couch).
The Caps preseason schedule features six games, three at home and three on the road. Gather your family and friends and come out to a game. Tickets are cheap. If you don’t want to spend money, check out a training camp practice. If that doesn’t get you hyped up for the season I don’t know what will.
We are very much here for the Vinny/Lap bromance
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 21, 2021
Check back for the full Mic'd Up with @Lapiz92 tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/SEYaPtUpr8
One thing is for sure, hockey being back is a refreshing sight to see. It’s going to be even sweeter once these games count.
#1 Storylines galore
Who will get the start in goal on opening night? What will the defense look like? Can Martin Fehervary and Connor McMichael make the jump to the NHL level? These questions and many more are about to be answered over the course of the next two and a half weeks.
Obviously one of the top players I’ll be watching is Connor McMichael. It will be also cool seeing Hendrix Lapierre and Vincent Iorio don the Capitals sweater for the first time. It is only a matter of time before the training camp roster gets released. In years past, training camp was split into three groups so this year will probably be no different.
Training camp opens this week and the #Caps veterans are on the ice at MCI prior to rookie camp. I see everyone on the NHL roster but Nicklas Backstrom. pic.twitter.com/Ybs4LSUula
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 20, 2021
If you missed our top 3 burning questions heading into the preseason, which goes more into details about some of these storylines, you can check that out here. I also encourage you to check out the salary cap situation heading into the preseason. I’ll give you a hint: it’s like a broke college student.
light. Hot. Washington Capitals promotional calendar features two bobblehead nights
The Caps first preseason game is on Sunday September 26 against the Boston Bruins while the second game is on the 29th against the New Jersey Devils. Both games are home games at Capital One Arena.