Ottawa Senators unveil 2017-18 schedule

The Ottawa Senators will play three of their four games against rivals Montreal before Christmas, including an outdoor game at TD Place atLansdowne Park on Dec. 16, according to the team's schedule released Thursday.

• See the team's full schedule here.

After falling onegoal short of the Stanley Cup Final this past season, and parting ways with stalwartsChris NeilandMarcMethotthis summer, theSenswillopen 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 ErikKarlsson, currentlyrecoveringfrom foot surgery,and centre DerrickBrassard, whorecently underwent shoulder surgery. The team remains hopeful both players willbe 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 the2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, and travel to Montreal on Nov. 29 and Feb. 4.

Leafs in town Oct. 21, Jan 20

The Senatorshost 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 announceda two-game series against the Colorado Avalanche in Stockholm, SwedenNov. 10 and 11.

Other highlights include:

• The newly minted Vegas Golden Knightswill 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 daysis 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 takeshape oversix preseason games in September, including home games against the Maple Leafs Sept. 18 andCanadiensSept. 23.