Breaking down the Capitals 2023 preseason schedule

Congrats to the Hershey Bears on winning the Calder Cup. This is exactly the motivation and experience these Washington Capitals prospects needed.

As the Caps look to improve their roster and get back to the playoffs, before the real thing starts they’ll have six preseason games. Those dates, times, and opponents were announced yesterday so let’s break it down.

The beauty of the preseason in any sport is the opportunity for prospects and young kids to prove themselves to the coaches and staff that they deserve a spot on the Opening Night roster.

I’m sure many Hershey Bears that hoisted the Cup last night are chomping at the bit for this opportunity. Especially guys like Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre.

The six game preseason schedule includes three home games at Capital One Arena and three road games. That’s usually the case each year.

The preseason begins for the Capitals on September 24 at 2 p.m.  with a home game against the Buffalo Sabres. On September 28 the Capitals will have a home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Two nights later the Caps and Red Wings will play again at Little Caesars Arena. That begins a stretch of three straight road games.

The trip will continue on Oct. 3 against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden and Oct. 5 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

The preseason concludes with a home game against the Blue Jackets on Oct. 5. The full preseason broadcast schedule and the complete 2023 24 regular season schedule will be announced at a later date.

But here’s a complete list of the date, opponent, location and puck drop time:

Sun. Sept. 24 vs. Buffalo, Capital One Arena, 2 p.m.

Thurs. Sept. 28 vs. Detroit, Capital One Arena, 7 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 30 at Detroit, Little Caesars Arena 7 p.m.

Tues. Oct. 3 at Boston, TD Garden 7 p.m.

Thurs. Oct. 5 at Columbus, Nationwide Arena 7 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 7 vs. Columbus, Capital One Arena 7 p.m.

The Caps were 4-1-1 in the preseason last year and their all time preseason record is 176-132-33-18.

Now if you’re a DC Sports nerd like I am you realize that the Caps first preseason game happens to be at the same time as the Week 3 NFL game at FedEx Field between the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders.

So Sunday September 24 is about to be a fun day for both Washington and Buffalo football and hockey fans.