We don’t quite know whether any of it will come to pass, but the Capitals’ 2012-13 schedule was released Thursday by the NHL. A lockout, of course, remains a distinct possibility as the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners expires Sept. 15.
But forget the doom and gloom for now. There are plenty of intriguing games in store if the season starts on time. It begins Oct. 12 at Verizon Center against New Jersey, the Stanley Cup runner-up. Washington gets rival Pittsburgh — a game deserving of a holiday — on Halloween at home. A rematch with Boston is in store at Verizon Center on Nov.?2. Remember, the 2011 Stanley Cup champ was knocked out by the Caps in a memorable seven-game series upset last spring.
Western Conference powers Chicago and Vancouver — last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winner — visit the District in the second half of the year. And for the fourth year in a row, we get a Super Bowl matinee with Washington hosting the defending champion Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 3.
– Brian McNally
