The NHL season ended just a few days ago with Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, but already the league is looking forward to 2011-12. Preseason schedules are trickling out with the Caps playing seven games during training camp in September and early October – three at Verizon Center, one in Baltimore and three others on the road.
The Baltimore Hockey Classic kicks things off on Sept. 20 at First Mariner Arena. The organization sees it as a positive way to build on its growing fanbase in Charm City. Hockey ratings for the Winter Classic were strong in Baltimore. Even Stanley Cup playoff games not involving the Caps did well there. Washington will play the Nashville Predators at 7 p.m. that night.
The next night – Sept. 21 (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) – takes them to Columbus for the pre-season road opener and then a game at the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center two nights later on Sept. 23 (Friday, 8:30 p.m.). Back to Washington for a game against the Blue Jackets on Sept. 26 (Monday, 7 p.m.). The final road game is Sept. 28 at Nashville. (Wednesday, 8 p.m.). The Caps then finish with a pair of home dates – Sept. 30 (Friday, 7 p.m.) vs. Buffalo and Oct. 2 against the Blackhawks (Sunday, 5 p.m.).
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