Oct. 20 vs. Chicago Blackhawks at United Center

Time: 7:00 p.m.

TV: NBCSW

Radio: Capitals Radio 24/7, 106.7 FAN

Washington Capitals 5-2-2

Chicago Blackhawks 2-2-1

Closer To Home - Washington's first homestand of the season didn't go well; the Caps lost each of the two games on that homestand in overtime after leading both games in the third period. They returned home this week for a three-game stay, and that one got off to an inauspicious start, too. The Caps fell down 4-0 in the first period against Colorado en route to a 6-3 setback. That loss left them winless in their first three games at home for the first time since 1983-84 (0-3-0).

There were heroes aplenty in the Caps' final home game of October on Friday night, in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. T.J. Oshie (two goals) and John Carlson (three assists) continued to display their hot hands offensively, while Braden Holtby (26 saves) bounced back strong from a couple of rough outings to earn his first victory since opening night.

Stick To The Plan - The Caps conclude a three-game homestand on Friday night against the New York Rangers. It's the second straight opponent the Caps are catching on the second night of back-to-back games, and after a bit of a slow start on Wednesday against Toronto, they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 4-3 victory.

Oct. 18 vs. New York Rangers at Capital One Arena

Time: 7:00 p.m.

TV: NBCSW

Radio: Capitals Radio 24/7, 106.7 FAN

New York Rangers 2-2-0

Washington Capitals 4-2-2

Bring It On Home - It took four games, but the Caps finally claimed their first home ice victory of the 2019-20 season on Wednesday night, rebounding from a rugged start to take down the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-3.

On Wednesday morning, Caps defenseman John Carlson acknowledged his team's early struggles on home ice this season. "We haven't been good at home, so that's going to be a big thing for us," he said, ahead of Washington's meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs. "We've always been a good home team, and it's something where we want to carry on that tradition. It's been unacceptable at home - our efforts - and we'll look to change that tonight."

At Home He's A Tourist - For the first time since 1983-84 when Washington opened the season with an 0-7-0 mark and went 0-3-0 in its first three games at the old Capital Centre in Landover, the Caps are without a victory (0-1-2) in their first three home games of the season. They get their next chance to remedy that shortcoming tonight when the high-octane Toronto Maple Leafs roll into town.

Oct. 16 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena

Time: 7:00 p.m.

TV: NBCSW

Radio: Capitals Radio 24/7, 94.7 The Drive

Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2-1

Washington Capitals 3-2-2

I Can't Get Started - Monday's game between the Caps and the Colorado Avalanche at Capital One Arena featured an unusual 5 p.m. start time, and it seemed as though only one team got the memo as to the start time.