NHL to announce 2018-2019 home openers for each team on June 20 at 1:00 PM EST

[talkinaway]

Makes me wonder if the Capitals will at least take down this 2011 Winter Classic Champion banner? Although since they defeated Pittsburgh in that game I guess they want to keep it up.

Jeebus, that's embarrassing. Banners to celebrate divisional champs, EC/WC champs, Presidents' Trophy...sure. Yeah, it's not the banner you WANT, but it's a celebration of a reasonably tough feat - being the best regular season team in a division or the league, or effectively winning a silver medal in the post-season.

But celebrating ONE game seven years ago that wasn't really all that significant? I mean, as a Bruins fan, I loved Game 7 against the Leafs in 2013 - but if my Bruins were to ever raise a banner in honor of it, I'd be embarrassed. Probably embarrassed enough to move across the border, buy a pair of Babsocks to go in some scuffed new shoes, and start waving that blue banner.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Jeebus, that's embarrassing. Banners to celebrate divisional champs, EC/WC champs, Presidents' Trophy...sure. Yeah, it's not the banner you WANT, but it's a celebration of a reasonably tough feat - being the best regular season team in a division or the league, or effectively winning a silver medal in the post-season.

But celebrating ONE game seven years ago that wasn't really all that significant? I mean, as a Bruins fan, I loved Game 7 against the Leafs in 2013 - but if my Bruins were to ever raise a banner in honor of it, I'd be embarrassed. Probably embarrassed enough to move across the border, buy a pair of Babsocks to go in some scuffed new shoes, and start waving that blue banner.

Actually that's not the most embarrassing banner they have up. It's not the Capitals but the WNBA's Washington Mystics who are owned by the same group where Ted Leonsis is the chairman, put up these banners at the Capital One Arena.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Toronto opening at home vs Montreal?

I am shocked!

 

[talkinaway]

Toronto opening at home vs Montreal?

I am shocked!

There aren't many choices. For the last few years, the schedule on opening Wednesday has been 4 games: US East, Canada East, US West, Canada West. It's a broadcasting decision: both national networks in the US and Canada get a game that starts at 7 PM Eastern, lasts for about 3 hours including pregame ceremonies and brief inter-game coverage, and then segues into the game in the West that has puck drop at 10:10 EDT. And both national networks are loathe to show games that aren't within their own country - when NBC televises a BOS/WSH game, they're bound to get heavy ratings in Boston and Washington. If they televise a BOS/MTL game, they only get a ratings boost from one local market.

Because there are only 3 teams in the East you can pick from to keep Rogers happy, there's really only 3 matchups you can have: Leafs/Sens, Leafs/Habs, Habs/Sens. I suppose you could throw in a Western Canadian team that starts their season with an Eastern road trip, but that just seems too hard unless it's Winnipeg.

Same goes for Canada West: It's probably going to be CGY/EDM, CGY/VAN or VAN/EDM, with an occasional WPG game thrown in there.

 

[LeafsNation75]

There aren't many choices. For the last few years, the schedule on opening Wednesday has been 4 games: US East, Canada East, US West, Canada West. It's a broadcasting decision: both national networks in the US and Canada get a game that starts at 7 PM Eastern, lasts for about 3 hours including pregame ceremonies and brief inter-game coverage, and then segues into the game in the West that has puck drop at 10:10 EDT. And both national networks are loathe to show games that aren't within their own country - when NBC televises a BOS/WSH game, they're bound to get heavy ratings in Boston and Washington. If they televise a BOS/MTL game, they only get a ratings boost from one local market.

Because there are only 3 teams in the East you can pick from to keep Rogers happy, there's really only 3 matchups you can have: Leafs/Sens, Leafs/Habs, Habs/Sens. I suppose you could throw in a Western Canadian team that starts their season with an Eastern road trip, but that just seems too hard unless it's Winnipeg.

Same goes for Canada West: It's probably going to be CGY/EDM, CGY/VAN or VAN/EDM, with an occasional WPG game thrown in there.

I said this earlier and I will say it again. Opening night will be the first official game in Toronto with the name Scotiabank Arena since it's replacing the name of Air Canada Centre on July 1, 2018. Since Toronto played Montreal in the very first NHL game played their on February 20, 1999 maybe that's why it's Toronto vs Montreal once again on opening night for next season.

 

[mitchdisaster]

Makes me wonder if the Capitals will at least take down this 2011 Winter Classic Champion banner? Although since they defeated Pittsburgh in that game I guess they want to keep it up.

Honestly? I really have to point out that this is fake? You REALLY can't see the obvious MS Paint paste job?

 

[Shockmaster]

Okey, let's win next 2 in row! So we can get the pens for the home opener

Win a few more Cups and it might happen. Until then, I would suggest enjoy the ceremony and worry less about who the opponent is that night.

 

[cpsman]

Oilers get shafted yet again in the schedule. Watch them collapse after a few road game losses to start the season.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

I said this earlier and I will say it again. Opening night will be the first official game in Toronto with the name Scotiabank Arena since it's replacing the name of Air Canada Centre on July 1, 2018. Since Toronto played Montreal in the very first NHL game played their on February 20, 1999 maybe that's why it's Toronto vs Montreal once again on opening night for next season.

A name change isnt a big deal

 

[Quiet Jack]

This thought just occurred to me. Since Toronto played Montreal in the very first game at the Air Canada Centre, maybe the NHL wanted them playing against each other in it's new name which is changing to Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018.

Come on

 

[Hynh]

Weird? Yes. I dont see how it's not fair, though.

Every team gets 41 home and 41 away, so how is it not fair?
I can see how it's sh**y from a fans perspective but there's nothing unfair about it.

Would you rather play a balanced schedule or 41 road games then 41 home games?

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

Would you rather play a balanced schedule or 41 road games then 41 home games?

No?

They have a road trip to start the year. Probably 4 games as October is light. I’d take that.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Will Capitals fans even be able to see the Championship banner among the 40 Thank You Fans banners? Be a fun game of where's Wally

Backstrom and Ovechkin videotaped with Stanley Cup in front of the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas yesterday as part of the NHL Awards Ceremony. Water source for the Bellagio Fountain were your tears and that of your fellow Penguins.

 

[Foots]

Backstrom and Ovechkin videotaped with Stanley Cup in front of the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas yesterday as part of the NHL Awards Ceremony. Water source for the Bellagio Fountain were your tears and that of your fellow Penguins.

The Caps winning the Stanley Cup caused a major depression among Pens fans.