Capitals reveal 56-game schedule opponents, open season Jan. 14 vs. Sabres

Right before the 2019-20 regular season slammed to a halt, the Washington Capitals traveled to Buffalo to play the Sabres. And 10 months later, when the Capitals take the ice again to begin the 56-game slate, they’ll do so back in Buffalo.

The NHL announced team schedules Wednesday, outlining how the new division alignments will work. Teams are organized roughly into four geographic divisions, and Washington will face its other East Division opponents eight times during the 56-game season.

The Capitals open the campaign Jan. 14 against the Sabres — playing consecutive nights at KeyBank Center — before traveling to Pittsburgh for a two-game stand. Washington hosts Buffalo for its home opener at Capital One Center on Jan. 22.

In an attempt to limit travel while playing only divisional foes, the Capitals’ regular season schedule includes 24 two-game sets against the same opponent. Washington has four homestands lasting at least four games, too.

“I think back-to-backs with no travel are probably going to be a bit better,” general manager Brian MacLellan said Wednesday. “The fatigue shouldn’t be as much with some of the travel we do.”

The Capitals finish their regular season at home against the Philadelphia Flyers on May 7 and 8. The Stanley Cup playoffs should begin May 11 and conclude in early July.

Washington’s divisional opponents are the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. The top four teams in each division will make the playoffs, and the winner of the first- and second-round games against those same divisional opponents will advance to facing out-of-division foes.

“It’s going to be competitive,” MacLellan said. “Our division is going to be tough. It’s got a lot of good teams. It’s going to be interesting how it pans out in the end.

“Every game is going to be intense,” he added. “All the teams are pretty close talent-wise. Some teams are improving a little. I expect high-intensity games throughout the whole schedule.”

Playing the same opponent on consecutive nights will be unique for NHL teams.

MacLellan compared it to more of a baseball atmosphere, and he figures with an experienced coaching staff — led by Peter Laviolette, who’s brought three teams to the Stanley Cup Finals — can take advantage by making changes on a night-to-night basis.

“You’re going to do a lot of prep, and you’re going to have a very good knowledge of where that team’s at after you play that first game,” MacLellan said. “I would think an experienced coaching staff is going to be a benefit from that in all situations. The ability to adjust, tweak game plans, I think that’s going to be beneficial for us there.”