Washington at St. Louis

Washington's stars are getting older and they open the season away from home. In the offseason, Washington swapped top-four regular defenseman Matt Niskanen for Radko Gudas in a salary-saving move and another defenseman, Brooks Orpik, retired. The Capitals have lost five of seven as a road underdog. They face a talented and balanced St. Louis team fresh off a Stanley Cup Championship, so it will be a big night raising the banner. Up and down the roster, there are no glaring holes and top-end talent is at every position on a team that ranked fifth in goals allowed. The Blues are on a 24-10 run in the regular season and hold all the cards. Play St. Louis.