The Washington Capitals bye week will end this weekend and that means there will be a lot of hockey to be played the remainder of the month. After a Pittsburgh Penguins comeback win last night, the Caps lead first place in the Wild Card by just one point.
This Saturday the Caps will take part in a back to back. First will be a road contest against the President’s Trophy leading Boston Bruins. Then there will be a Super Bowl Sunday matchup at Capital One Arena against the San Jose Sharks.
On Valentine’s Day there will be a prelude to the Stadium Series as the Caps host the Carolina Hurricanes. Before the team departs for North Carolina for the big game, they have a home game against the Florida Panthers that Thursday.
Although the Panthers eliminated the Caps in the first round last season, they’ve struggled this season and trail the Caps in the Wild Card standings by four points. Then comes the Stadium Series game that Saturday night in what is sure to be epic over at Carter Finley Stadium against the Canes.
After all the hoopla the Caps have three straight home games. Those are against the Detroit Red Wings on the 21st, the Anaheim Ducks on the 23rd and the New York Rangers on the 25th. The month ends on the 26th with a road game at the Buffalo Sabres.
The Rangers are only four points ahead of the Caps so it’s a must win there. The Hurricanes will probably run away with the division unless the New Jersey Devils get hot but any win over the Canes is a big one especially if they’re the ones in first place.
Overall it should be an interesting month. We’ll see what happens with the team and what they could possibly do at the upcoming trade deadline next month.