Ottawa Senators unveil 2017-18 schedule
Home opener against Capitals Oct. 5
The Ottawa Senators will play three of their four games against rivals Montreal before Christmas, including an outdoor game at TD Place at Lansdowne Park on Dec. 16, according to the team's schedule released Thursday.
After falling one goal short of the Stanley Cup Final this past season, and parting ways with stalwarts Chris Neil and Marc Methot this summer, the Sens will open their season with back-to-back home games on Oct. 5 and 7 against the the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings.
Watching from the VIP box could be captain Erik Karlsson, currently recovering from foot surgery, and centre Derrick Brassard, who recently underwent shoulder surgery. The team remains hopeful both players will be ready in time to start the season.
They play divisional and regional rivals Montreal and the Toronto Maple Leafs four times each.
They host the Canadiens Oct. 30 at Canadian Tire Centre and Dec. 16 at TD Place in the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, and travel to Montreal on Nov. 29 and Feb. 4.
Leafs in town Oct. 21, Jan 20
The Senators host the Maple Leafs on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Jan. 20, and travel to Toronto on Jan. 10 and Feb. 10.
Every team save the Colarado Avalanche will visit Ottawa for at least one game this season. The Senators have already announced a two-game series against the Colorado Avalanche in Stockholm, Sweden Nov. 10 and 11.
Other highlights include:
- The newly minted Vegas Golden Knights will make their inaugural visit to Ottawa Saturday, Nov. 4, in what could possibly be Marc Methot's return to Ottawa — if he's still with Vegas then.
- The Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins, who knocked Ottawa out of the playoffs in the conference finals, will make their only regular-season visit to Ottawa Thursday, Nov 16.
- The team's longest home stand — five games over 10 days — is from Oct. 17 to Oct. 26.
- The team's longest road trip of the season — seven games over a 14-day span, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 12 — comes as Canadian Tire Centre hosts the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings curling event.
Fans can watch the team take shape over six preseason games in September, including home games against the Maple Leafs Sept. 18 and Canadiens Sept. 23.