Photo: Sporting News

The NHL released the full 2,542 game regular season schedule for all 31 teams. The 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals will open their season at home on Wednesday, October 3 against the Boston Bruins and will raise the franchise’s first Stanley Cup banner at 7:30 PM. The following night, they will visit the archrival Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena for their home opener and the first time since they eliminated the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions from 2016 and 2017 at 7 PM. 

Top 10 Home Games

Boston Bruins (10/3) – The Capitals will raise their first Stanley Cup Championship banner in franchise history.

Vegas Golden Knights (10/10) – The 2018 Stanley Cup finalists will meet in Washington for the first time since the Capitals hoisted the Stanley Cup in Vegas on June 7.

Pittsburgh Penguins (11/7) – The Capitals will face the Penguins at home for the first time since eliminating the then back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. Pittsburgh eliminated Washington in nine of 10 playoff series prior, including eight straight.

Tampa Bay Lightning (3/20) – The Bolts will come to town for the first time since Washington won Games 6 and 7 to eliminate Tampa Bay and clinch their first Eastern Conference title in 20 years.

Columbus Blue Jackets (11/9) – The Jackets will visit town for the first time since the Caps beat them in six games in the First Round. The Caps pulled off four straight wins after dropping the first two at home.

New York Islanders (1/18) – Former head coach Barry Trotz comes to D.C. for the first time since resigning as head coach on June 18. Trotz guided the Capitals to three Metropolitan Division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, and their first Stanley Cup championship since entering the league in 1974.

Boston Bruins (2/3) – The Capitals will host their annual Super Bowl Sunday game.

Nashville Predators (12/31) – The 2017-18 Presidents’ Trophy winners will come to town.

Winnipeg Jets (3/10) – The Jets come to D.C. for the first time since advancing to the Western Conference Final.

New York Islanders (4/6) – The Capitals will play their final home game of the regular season.

Additional Schedule Notes

-The Capitals will play their first road game on Thursday, October 4 when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins for their home opener

-The Capitals will visit the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena for the first time since hoisting the Stanley Cup on December 4

-The longest road trip of the season will be spanning over six games from February 12-23 (Blue Jackets, Sharks, Kings, Ducks, Maple Leafs, Sabres)

-The longest homestand of the season will be spanning over six games from February 1-11 (Flames, Bruins, Canucks, Avalanche, Panthers, Kings)

-The Capitals will play 12 sets of back-to-backs during the 2018-19 season

-From February 12 to March 19, the Capitals will play 13 of 17 games on the road and 10 of the 13 road games will be against playoff teams from the past year

-The bye week will take place from January 23-February 1 – will span over All-Star Weekend

By Harrison Brown