The cool, crisp autumn air blows through pumpkin fields. The calendar reads “October”, and the days are getting shorter. Lucky baseball fans are afflicted by the phenomenon known as Pennant Fever. Or, if you’re like us (and fans of about 5 other teams), you’ve got Managerial Vacancy Fever. The only prescription? More rumors! Independent of non-news, there are some area sports teams playing actual games this weekend.

Caps Open Season With Low Expectations, Booze
Apparently, there is some sort of event taking place at the Verizon Center this weekend in which men with sticks skate around, occasionally bumping into each other. Yes, folks, it’s the return of the National Hockey League! The Washington Capitals’ home opener is tomorrow night against the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Last night, the Caps opened the season with a loss, surprising absolutely no one. Although widely predicted to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Caps fans will still count on the on-ice and off-ice exploits of Alex Ovechkin to entertain them. That, and keg fulls of cheap booze.

United Seeking Winning Form
With the Supporters’ Shield locked up, D.C. United would seem to have little motivation to attack their final 2 games with any competitive vigor. However, fans can rest assured they will do just that as they prepare for the playoffs. Saturday night’s home game against the New England Revolution will give United a chance to prove their mettle against one of the MLS’s better teams, led by newly crowned U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Clint Dempsey. United has been slumping for much of the second half of the season; expect these last two games to have a sense of urgency about them, as United tries to get back the impeccable form they displayed during their memorable first half.

Photo taken by ohad*