The NHL released the schedule for 2026-27, and it’s a grueling 84-game marathon. The league played 84-game season in 1992-93 and 1993-94 before they reverted back to the 82-game schedule we all came to know and love. Washington hockey fans get two more Caps games each year and more Monday matinees. But the schedule makers didn’t do any favors for Alex Ovechkin. In what could be his final season. For the second straight year, the Great 8 will not close the regular season at home.
The Capitals will start the season against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. They then play the Lightning in Tampa on October 3rd (where John Carlson now plays…yuck!), before their home opener on October 7th in DC against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Their final regular season game is against the Flyers in Philly. It would be better if the Great 8 didn’t start or end the season on home ice. If he decides to hang them up next summer, then Ovi will play his final regular season opener in Raleigh and his final regular season game ever in Philly. One of those games should have been on Fun Street.
The Caps will play 14 back-to-backs in 2026-27, second only to the Penguins 15. Since the 2005-06 season, the Capitals have averaged just about 14 a season in the post-lockout era. The proximity of teams in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions make it easier to hop a train and play the second of a home and home series against the Flyers, Devils, or one of the New York teams. Acela Express, baby.
There is a concern that the NHL didn’t start the season a week sooner or end it a week later to account for the two added games and just crammed them into the same time period as the 82-game schedule. Hockey players are some of the best athletes in the world and have to be in amazing shape to do their jobs. You just don’t see any fat hockey players. Maybe coaches can give older guys like Ovi an extra day off here and there. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman can take a page from the NFL playbook and eliminate a pre-season game or two and start a week early. That would keep the players in the same routine. Besides, regular season games draw more fans, which increases revenue.
My favorite part of the 2026-27 schedule is the addition of a few more Monday afternoon games for next season. The NHL wants to build up their international fanbase so adding Monday matinees that drop the puck at 1pm EST start at 7pm in Europe and 8pm in Russia. Monday Night Hockey Night in Europe! The NHL is giving everyone another reason to call out sick on Mondays. Nothing brightens up a cold winter day faster than daytime hockey! NHL fans in Europe, enjoy Monday Night Hockey Night in Europe! (I should coin that phrase before it's too late.)
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