The ripped off 111 points last season, tops in the East, and did it with balanced scoring and a healthy blue line. Now they get a fresh 82 with Bruins Custom Jersey prime-time dates scattered acro s the calendar, a trio of four-game homestands, and one long western swing that will test depth. Alex Ovechkin is also three goals from 900 as he enters season 21, which adds a little extra electricity to opening month. Opening week and early markers Oct. 8 vs Bruins, home opener Banner-worthy buzz without a banner. Boston is a clean measuring stick right out of the gate. Oct. 1421, first four-game homestand Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Vancouver, Seattle come through D.C. A chance to bank points before travel ramps up. Oct. 31 vs Islanders, Halloween game Holiday spotlight and a Metro rival in town. MORE : Star power nights Nov. 19 vs Oilers Connor McDavids lone visit. Speed check for Washingtons centers and gaps. Nov. 28 vs Maple Leafs, Black Friday Auston Matthews on national-shop-and-hockey day. Capital One should be loud. Dec. 31 vs Rangers, New Years Eve matinee A festive rematch vibe before the ball drops. The Rangers also come in Dec. 23. The gauntlet road trip Jan. 1929, six games out West Colorado to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, then back for Detroit. That is the seasons longest trip and the kind of stretch that separates home-ice hopefuls from wild cards. Rivalry and playoff-flavored dates Jan. 3 vs Blackhawks The Connor Bedard show hits D.C. early in the new year. Jan. 17 vs Panthers Two-time defending champs come in. Forecheck and netfront battles will tell the story. Feb. 27 vs Golden Knights Depth-on-depth matchup with Vegas on a Friday night. Mar. 20 vs Devils Late-March Metro stakes usually live here. Apr. 12 vs Penguins Crosby and Ovechkin at Capital One for the home finale. Circle it. Homestands, back-to-backs, and the Olympic pause The schedule includes three four-game homestands (Oct. 1421, Nov. 2228, Mar. 1422) and 14 back-to-back sets, so goalie management will matter. The league pauses Feb. 622 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, then the sprint resumes. What it adds up to for Washington Washington was seventh-best at home last season and scored in bunches in their own building. Stack early points during those October and November homestands, survive the January trip, and let Ovechkins milestones and special teams carry key nights. Replicating 111 will be tough, but the path to another top-three Metro finish is right there if the five-on-five defense holds and the second line keeps producing. MORE NHL News: Matthew Poitras Jersey