Two distinctly different versions of the NHL's 2021-22 schedule have been hanging in the balance for the last several weeks, as the League awaited final word on whether its players would or would not participate in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Although the NHL's participation in the 2022 Olympics is anticipated but not yet confirmed at this time, the 32 NHL teams released their 82-game regular season schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 season today.
Caps Unveil 2021-22 Regular Season Schedule
Washington opens upcoming campaign on Oct. 13 when it hosts the New York Rangers
Along with the schedules of the 32 teams, the NHL released a statement in regard to potential Olympic participation:
Olympic Break: No final agreement or decision has been made to this point regarding the possible participation of NHL Players in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Talks remain ongoing. Subject to reaching agreement with the NHL Players' Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation on all outstanding issues, including appropriate COVID-19 insurance for NHL Players, the League has agreed, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, to pause from Feb. 7-22, 2022 to accommodate NHL Player participation in the Olympic Games. The NHL and the NHL Players' Association will retain full authority to decide not to participate should COVID-19 conditions worsen or otherwise pose a threat to the health and safety of NHL Players, or for any other reason that may warrant such decision. In the event NHL Players participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL regular season will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 23. If, for whatever reason, there is no NHL Player participation in the Olympics, a revised Regular Season schedule will be released which, to the greatest extent possible, will adopt the dates and games reflected in the schedule contemplating Olympic participation.
The Capitals begin the season with a three-game homestand, hosting the New York Rangers in the season's home opener on Oct. 13 at Capital One Arena. Tampa Bay and Colorado follow the Blueshirts into town on that initial homestand. Washington will play six of its eight October games on home ice.
Because the League's All-Star break will be followed by its likely Olympic participation, the Caps have a three-week gap in their schedule in February. After hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 2, the Caps won't be back in action again until Feb. 24 when they open up a two-game road trip against the Rangers in New York.
With the addition of the expansion Seattle Kraken for the 2021-22 season, the NHL is now a 32-team circuit. The Caps will face the Kraken in Seattle on Nov. 21 in the finale of a four-game road trip, and they'll host the League's newest club on March 5 in the District.
In order to accommodate the two additional games against a non-conference opponent, the Caps will play only 26 games within the Metropolitan Division rather than the usual 28 games in a typical 82-game season. Washington will face New Jersey and the New York Rangers just three times this season. The Caps will host the Devils twice in addition to their lone visit to Newark in October, and they'll visit Manhattan twice to face the Rangers, who make their only District appearance of the season on opening night.
Washington's longest homestand of the season is a four-game stay from Dec. 2-10 when Chicago, Columbus, Anaheim and Pittsburgh visit the District, in that order. The Capitals' longest road trip of the season comes late in the campaign; they'll take a five-game tour of eastern Canada and the southwestern United States from April 14-22, starting in Toronto and moving on to Montreal, Colorado, Vegas and Arizona in that order.
By the day:
Sunday:Eight at home, two on the road
Monday:Seven at home, three on the road
Tuesday: Six at home, six on the road
Wednesday: Seven at home, four on the road
Thursday: Three at home, eight on the road
Friday:Three at home, 10 on the road
Saturday:Seven at home, eight on the road
By the month:
October: Six at home, two on the road
November: Five at home, 10 on the road
December: Seven at home, six on the road
January: Seven at home, six on the road
February:Two at home, three on the road
March:Seven at home, six on the road
April: Seven at home, eight on the road
