Caps Featured Prominently on National TV

The NHL released its national TV schedule for the upcoming season, and not surprisingly, the Capitals are featured prominently on the slate.

Washington will appear seven times on Versus, including the season opener on Oct. 1 in Boston, which will be part of the channel's double-header which also features Joe Sakic's jersey retirement in Colorado. Just six days later, the Caps' first visit to Philly will be on the network, then the same two teams will tangle at Verizon Center on the 27th of that month.

The Caps' first-round rematch with the Rangers will be on Nov. 17th on Versus, then Washington isn't scheduled to be on until after the Olympic Break on March 8th, when the team visits Dallas. Washington's April game against Boston on April 5th and the prerequisite battle with the Penguins is on the next night to wrap up their regular-season scheduled appearances.

North of the border, the Capitals are on five times on Hockey Night in Canada, with three of Washington's four games against Toronto on CBC (Oct. 3, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12). The other two are the rumored match against the Habs at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 28th, and Washington's visit to Edmonton on Dec. 19th.

NBC, which kicks off its telecasts on Jan. 1 with the Bruins and Flyers from Fenway, still hasn't announced its schedule past that point. However, there are several Saturday and Sunday afternoon games that could be picked up, not least being Feb. 7 with the Penguins. Other good candidates to be picked up are the team's Jan. 17 against the Flyers, March 14th against Chicago and the season finale April 11th against Boston.