Washington Capitals Launch 2026-27 Season Against Carolina Hurricanes
The Washington Capitals have officially unveiled their 84-game schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season. The team will open the campaign with a challenging back-to-back road trip, facing the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on Friday, October 2, followed by a contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, October 3. This second game will mark a significant moment for former Capital John Carlson, who will face his former team for the first time since being traded to the Anaheim Ducks at last season’s trade deadline. Carlson, 36, recently signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Lightning in free agency, marking his first full season outside of Washington since his 2009-10 debut.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby Renew Rivalry at Capital One Arena
Following the road trip, the Capitals will return to D.C. for their highly anticipated home opener at Capital One Arena on Wednesday, October 7, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The matchup against the Penguins serves as a major fixture on the schedule and continues a storied Metropolitan Division rivalry. This game is expected to feature the 101st-ever matchup between NHL legends Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby when combining regular season and playoff games. The two icons previously faced off for the 100th time this past April. Historically, Ovechkin has proven prolific in such settings, recording 21 total goals in his 21 home openers with the Capitals. Additionally, in 83 all-time regular-season games against the Penguins, Ovechkin has scored 44 goals. Last season, the Capitals secured a 2-1-0 record in their season series against Pittsburgh, which included a sweep of a home-and-home, back-to-back set on April 11-12.
UBS Arena Hosts 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend During Mid-Season Break
The 2026-27 slate features 42 home games at Capital One Arena, 19 of which are scheduled for weekends, including five Fridays, nine Saturdays, and five Sundays. The team’s longest homestands consist of two five-game stretches: October 14 through 28 and February 14 through 23. Conversely, the team will face five stretches of at least three consecutive road games, highlighted by a season-long six-game road trip from December 3 through 15. The schedule also includes 14 sets of back-to-back games, matching the total from the previous season. The league will pause for a nine-day break from February 4 through 12, coinciding with the 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend, which is set for February 5 and 6 at UBS Arena on Long Island, New York.
Connor McDavid and Edmonton Oilers Visit D.C. for December Matchup
The schedule is highlighted by several marquee home dates. The New York Rangers visit Capital One Arena on October 9 for a Friday night showdown, followed by a divisional contest against Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils on October 17. The Buffalo Sabres visit on October 24, and the Minnesota Wild arrive on November 1 for a 3:30 p.m. start. The Capitals have maintained their tradition of scheduling key games around the holidays, including a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 25, the night before Thanksgiving, and a game against the Florida Panthers on November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Furthermore, the club will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 26, the day after Christmas, and Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on December 28 for his lone visit to the arena. Additionally, the team will face the Utah Mammoth on Super Bowl Sunday, February 14, at 1 p.m.
Last season, the Capitals posted the sixth-best home record in the NHL at 25-11-5. While television broadcast plans will be released at a later date, all games will be available on the Capitals Radio Network, 106.7 The Fan, WashingtonCaps.com, and the Washington Caps mobile app. Fans can sync the schedule to their personal devices via the official team website. Full season ticket memberships and partial plans for the 2026-27 season are currently available.
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