The Washington Capitals have officially announced their 2025-26 schedule.
The Caps will kick off their season on October 8 at home against the Boston Bruins before hitting the road to face the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.
The Capitals will play three four-game homestands in 2025-26 from October 14-21, November 22-28, and March 14-22. Their longest road trip will see them go west for a six-game stretch between January 19 and 29.
Capitals’ 2025-26 regular-season schedule
Washington will look to repeat a strong regular-season showing from 2024-25 that saw it lead the Eastern Conference with a 111-point (51-22-9) record, besting the team’s 2023-24 performance by 20 points. Captain Alex Ovechkin also sits just three goals away from 900 as he enters what could be his final NHL season.
The Caps will hit the ice for several holiday games over the season, including on Halloween (October 31 vs New York Islanders), Black Friday (November 28 vs Toronto), and New Year’s Eve (December 31 vs New York Rangers).
With NHL players returning to the Olympics in February 2026 for the first time since 2014, the league will pause from February 6 to 24. Martin Fehervary became the first Capitals player named to an 2026 Olympic roster and will represent his native Slovakia at the Games.
Important home games (per the Capitals):
- Oct. 8 – Home opener at Capital One Arena versus the Boston Bruins
- Oct. 14 – The Capitals face the Tampa Bay Lightning
- Oct. 31 – Washington hosts the New York Islanders on Halloween
- Nov. 19 – Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers make their lone visit to Capital One Arena
- Nov. 28 – The Capitals host Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs the day after Thanksgiving
- Dec. 11 – The Capitals face the Carolina Hurricanes in a Metropolitan Division clash
- Dec. 23 – The New York Rangers make their first of two visits to Capital One Arena for the Capitals’ final game before the holiday break
- Dec. 31 – The New York Rangers return to D.C. for a New Year’s Eve matinee
- Jan. 3 – The Capitals face Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks
- Jan. 13 – The Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens in a rematch of last season’s First Round series
- Jan. 17 – The Capitals face the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers
- Jan. 31 – The Carolina Hurricanes make their second of two trips to D.C.
- Feb. 27 – The Capitals face the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night
- March 20 – The Capitals host the New Jersey Devils for a Friday night divisional contest
- March 31 – The Capitals face Metropolitan Division rival Philadelphia
- April 12 – Washington completes its 2025-26 home regular-season schedule against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Caps will begin their preseason on September 21 and will play six exhibition games before Opening Night, including a game at the Hershey’s Giant Center on September 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
