The Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils kick off a busy early-season rivalry with their first of three back-to-back matchups this weekend, setting the stage for a home-and-home series before mid-month. The teams will face off in a Metro Division clash, with the next two games scheduled to take place in New Jersey later in the season. This quick succession of games highlights the competitive intensity between the two franchises, offering fans a chance to see how each team performs in a high-stakes environment. With the series wrapping up before the calendar flips, early momentum could play a key role in shaping their season trajectories.

Saturday’s Metro Division match is the first of three early-season meetings between the Caps and the Devils; they’ll play a home-and home set before the middle of next month, meeting in New Jersey on ...