Are You Ready?

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Are you ready for Game 7 NHL playoff action tonight? I am. If you are ready, let me know. Tell me now. Post away and spread your good cheer, positive intentions and good karma – now – more than ever!

It is the most exciting time in sports, a Game 7 of a NHL playoff series. And hockey fans in general get two Game 7′s tonight as the Capitals play the Rangers and the Devils play the Hurricanes. A true competitive feast.

We don’t need to talk about the suspensions or the security or the water bottles or the curse words or the history or the bite marks or the hits after the whistles or the missed calls or the letters to the editor and the media or who has the most pressure on them. All we have to do now is focus on one game. Two hungry and desperate teams are both fighting for their playoff lives. Game 7′s are clarifying moments. It is the ultimate win or go home thesis and I love it and I know you do too.

I have great respect for our opponent. They have played very well. They play tough D. They have superior goaltending and they are opportunistic on offense. They are also a veteran laden team that should thrive in a pressure packed Game 7. It is anyone’s series now - to the best team will go the spoils. We worked hard for home ice advantage during the regular season and I hope we seize this moment for our franchise and our fans.

I am also excited about seeing how our young team responds to pressure and to the energy and excitement that is sure to fill our arena as we” Rock the Red”. I hope we play our game and I trust that the stars will come out tonight.

Thank you in advance for being great fans tonight; for being respectful to the game; for being loud and proud; and for stressing safety and being classy and elegant and embracing the environment of a Game 7.

Washington has become a hockey town. I met with our partners at Comcast yesterday and they expect boffo ratings for this game. We are one of the hottest tickets in sports right now. All eyes will be on us here in DC. The game is sold out many times over.

People are climbing out of the woodwork to get tickets and jump on our bandwagon to all of which I am very grateful. The city is abuzz. The media is in a frenzy. The blogosphere is humming. Drop the puck and let us see what we are made of. Great times are made of these great moments. Enjoy it and embrace it. Know that you have my thanks and gratitude. Go Caps!

0 thoughts on “Are You Ready?”

  4. I hope you were as proud and thrilled with fan reaction for those last 5 minutes as of th e win. Never heard it louder. Never been more proud. Feds came through and eveyone errupted. It was beyond a spectacular experience as a fan. And something awesome to behold. GO CAPS! Bring on the Pens!!

  7. I am so excited and nervous at the sametime. I won’t be rocking any red because when I did the caps lost those games…silly I know but no red for me tonight. :) I will however be on the edge of my seat jumping up and screaming my heart out while watching the game at home wishing I could have made the trip again from Mass down to D.C. to be at the V.C. with all the other fans! LET’S GO CAPS!!!!!!

  8. I’ve been a passionate fan since 1980, Ted. I can not WAIT for tonight’s game. This has been the longest day! I’m down in Central Florida now, so will be rooting for the team long distance, but you can rest assured, Orlando will be ROCKING THE RED tonight! It doesn’t get much better than winning a Game 7. I still remember where I was and who I was with when Huntsy and the Caps beat Hextall and Philly in ’88. I want tonight’s memory to live on just as long! Let’s Go Caps!!

  9. I’ve been ready since the Game6 smackdown! Today’s been a countdown to faceoff day. I hope getting our Captain back will be a boost to the team.

  10. I’ll be rockin’ the red from Memphis, TN tonight. Stinks that I’ll have to watch on Versus and wont get the incredible coverage JoeB and Locker offer, but at least I know I’ll be able to hear all you fans at Verizon rockin’ the house.

    Mr. Leonsis, I would like to echo the feelings of Caps fans ever where and say Thank You for giving us all such an incredible team of character, talent, and ethics to cheer for in DC, truly an amazing job.

    LET’S GO CAPS!!!!!

  11. Justice is served tonight! All those years that Jagr played for the Rangers and we helped pay his salary while his team beat ours—this is sweet retribution—clobber ‘em Caps!!

  12. Teddy The Caps couldn’t be more ready. They have mastered their set ups and they have faith in each other. Their RELENTLESS DETERMINATION as a TEAM is what makes them so spectacular! We have our Cap Hats ready. Bring on Game Seven. LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!

  14. Let’s Go Caps! I’m about to put my red on, and I’ve got my earplugs ready for the game tonight, and I hope it’s so loud I’ll need ‘em. Thanks, Ted – we have such a wonderful group of players and they’re a joy to watch, especially Ovi.

  16. In the house in 426, where I’ve been all season.

    Win tonight, and I almost don’t care what happens beyond.

    Win tonight, and this team lives forever in immortality as far as I’m concerned.

    GO CAPS!!!

  17. And dying in your beds many years from now,
    would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance,
    just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that
    they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… game 7!

    LET’S GO CAPS!

  19. It’s time for a real “Axx-Whopping” to happen by the Caps in a Game 7 at home with the crowd rocking the red!

  22. There isnt a person in the country who deserves a win tonight more than you do, sir. Your players know that and I expect them to deliver. Go Caps!

  23. In Bruce We Trust!!! C’mon Caps fans, Rock the Red and Unleash the Fury!!!! I can’t wait to be in the Verizon Ctr tonight!! Caps! Caps! Caps!

  24. teams i follow flyers,penguins,washington,wild, black hawks,hershey,reading royals . team i dislike the most- rangers, player i dislike the most AVERY. GO WASHINGTON
    DISMANTLE THOSE RANGERS.

  25. Uncle Ted, I’m so ready, I’m jumping out of my skin! LET’s GO CAPS! UNLEASH THE FURY TONIGHT!

  26. Norfolk, VA is onboard. I’m rocking the red at the office today. When I get home I will be changing into my t-shirt and shorts that I have worn for Games 5 & 6. The Ranger fans I work with are worried. The Caps fans in the office are ready. I truly believe that our time is now. Let’s Go Caps!

  27. Ted,

    While I won’t be at the game tonight, I will be watching on TV. I did want to congratulate you and the Capitals on the very fan friendly environment you have fostered for the Capitals. My son, a 25 year old college club player himself, said he thought the Caps played better Friday night than he had ever seen them play.

    Being a suburban Maryland resident, I was dubious that downtown Washington would be as good a location as a Beltway arena that could attract more families. While I still agree with that notion, you do schedule games for times when people of all ages can come.

    Let’s Rock the Red like we did on Friday and win with the evident hockey talent that has been assembled. I hope thug hockey is whistled away soon, and that the best hockey team wins tonight, which, of course, will be the Caps.

  30. Thank you Ted. You are the best owner the Caps could have every hoped for. Your positive outlook is an inspiration. I truly believe the Caps will win tonight. Go Ovie! Go Nicky! Let’s Go Caps!!!

  34. I Believe! I am not over-confident, but if we play our game and they play their game, I think we win. Thanks, Ted. RTR!

    Paul R.

  35. This is it. This is our time. I will be there as always Rocking the Red. All the guys need to do is just play their game.
    LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!

  36. “green starts the rush he hits clark he’s in alone a shot and a goal” capitals win, capitals win, capitals win…see you back at verizon for game 1

  37. The white jersey was a winner for Game 5 so have to wear that but will be rockin the red in spirit!! SOOOOOOOOO ready!!!

  38. I’ve been ready since Sunday evening. DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!!

    I cannot wait to hear the phonebooth tonight. MADNESS!

  39. i am so confident of a win i have my plane tix done and will be in dc for part of the next series….see you then!

  41. Go Caps! We’re all watching and rooting for the amazing CAPS from here in Orange County, CA!!!

  42. I’m a teacher who just cancelled her Algebra class. The kids went crazy when I told them class was cancelled because I’m heading to DC to rock the red! The Caps get more and more fans in this area every day, its great.
    GO CAPS!!!!!!

  43. I am of course pulling for my Broadway Blue, because I bleed Ranger Blue…. that said, hats off to the Caps, their organization and fans. As a hockey fan it is great to see the excitement around a game 7 inside the beltway.

    Here’s to a great game 7 with the offensive pressure that the Caps continue to bring and the defensive toughness the Rangers respond with — I said a 7 game series and here we are.

    Best of one!
    LET’S GO RANGERS!

  44. Hell yes I am ready. I’m so fortunate that this is my second playoff game ever AND my second this series. A very awesome STH has been nice enough to get us tickets once again and it was a great surprise this morning! My friend and I will once again be rocking the red and our painted faces (you commented on it on the 1st level concourse before Game One…it made my night! haha) tonight at Verizon! CAN’T WAIT AND GO CAPS! DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!

  45. I’ve been wearing my red mullet wig (from ’80s night last season) since I dressed this morning. Here’s to hoping the “magic hair” pushes us through to the next round – UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

  47. Caps are ready – its in their eyes. I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I can’t be at the game, but will be pacing in front of the TV with my caps lucky red angel socks on !! THE CAPS TEAM IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME !!!

  48. I switched jerseys for game 5 and look where we are. So I’ll be rockin the black tonight, sorry for that! I just hope I don’t have a heart attack or stroke tonight – games like this kill me, and I’m just some schmuck in the stands. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be on the ice. Make us proud boys – Let’s go Caps!

  50. My house is rocking the RED! We have our Caps flag waving in the glorious NOVA weather and of course we are wearing jerseys with PRIDE! Drama aside, we have such a brilliant group of young men and an amazing coach – what isn’t worth cheering for in that? I smell VICTORY!

    C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!

  51. The blogs are buzzing with nervous Caps fans that are having the time of their lives following their team into game 7. I said GO CAPS before and I’ll say GO CAPS again because this much fun is what being a Caps fan is all about!!!!!!

  52. I will be cheerin my freakin head off all the way from Alberta Canada.I wish I could see this Cup run live. This is just the start.

  53. We’ll be there, Rockin’ the Red, screaming our lungs out, and shaking the Cowbells! We are Proud to be a part of this family and can’t wait to show the nation what a Hockey Town the capital is!

    The entire office is excited about this game, and everywhere I go in my CAPS gear I get smiles and high-fives. This town is ready to go!

    GO CAPS!!!

  55. I will be rocking the red with my friends. It’s been an exciting post season and I am looking forward to more games.

  57. Less than 6 hours to go until the puck drops and I can’t wait. I’ll be Rocking the Red in my 2009 Playoff ROCK THE RED tshirt from section 105. Just saw the boys during their morning skate at Kettler – everyone looking good. Hoping the Stecks, Brooks, Brads line starts the game like the last two and sets the tone. Can’t wait to bang on the glass for the boys during Pregame warmups.
    LETS GO CAPS AND UNLEASH THE FURY!!

  59. No worries here. Tonight may be one of those epic games. We’ll persevere and win!!

  62. Thank you Ted for this wonderful hockey team! I hope this great media coverage extends into the next season.

  63. Ted…we will be rocking the red down here in Mississippi. We follow the team day in and day out. Lets go caps…the spirit is everywhere!!!!!

  64. Can’t wait to Rock the Red Ted! LET’S GO CAPS!!!
    Game 7 like you said is what it’s all about and the fact that hockey fans get two of them tonight…WOW! And by the way the two game sevens feature two teams from the Southeast division….so much for the nickname Southleast, eh….’

    Go Caps! Bring it home boys!!!

  65. Go Caps! I, too, have nervous butterflies in the stomach for our boys! Wish I could be at the game but we’ll be yelling loud and proud from Virginia!

  67. Last Friday after game 5 everyone in our section was saying see you on Tuesday. Today we will be saying see you for game 1 of round 2. Go Caps

  68. I would like to make one statement about something you wrote: They have superior goaltending

    I beg to differ.

    Go Caps!

  69. I hope you have your cowbell in your suite with you as well as your watch! :) I can’t wait; 3 more hours and I’m out the office heading downtown. The phone booth is going to be louder than the other night. Let’s Go Caps!!!!!

  70. Oh, we are ready….
    I’m so glad we get to watch tonight’s game with Joe and Craig on CSN. It doesn’t feel like a Caps game without them.

  72. Ted, thanks for taking the time to really build a solid hockey team in DC. After the lockout things were bleak for a bit, but the foundation is certainly in place for success now and in the years to come.

    The town certainly loves a winner, but there are many core fans who have followed the Caps throughout the years. I hope for a great game tonight with the Caps running the offense and creating quality scoring chances. Who doesn’t love a Game 7?

    Let’s get over the hump! GO CAPS!

  76. Rock the White House
    Rock the Hawk
    Rock the Red . . .

    Ted, I agree with everything you say about our opponent except “superior goaltending.” . . .That rookie guy is pretty darn good!

  77. I’m so excited for this game that i can’t sit still in my seat at work. T-Minus 6 hours to go til the puck drops! What a great season it’s been and it’ll be an even better round 2 after we win tonight. LETS GO CAPS! We know you can do it!

  79. Ticket to game seven–check!

    Camera in hand to shoot the action so my three year old son can appreciate this when he gets older—check!

    Voice and throat rested—-check!

    I’m ready. This is the year!

    Game on!!!!

  80. I am so ready to RTR tonight!! I am a long time fan. The first hockey game I attended was in 1988, Caps v. Flyers, 7th game (OT win). From that moment, I have been hooked. The ‘run’ last year got my wife and 2 year old and myself as die hards and we became STHs. By the way, that’s how my 2 year old sone learned his letters and numbers, by spelling out the names and memorizing the players numbers. Thanks for putting a great product on the ice. GO CAPS!!

    STH,
    Don

    (sigh).. 6 more hours

  81. It’s going to be INSANE loud! Anyone bringing children should buy earplugs. People left last year due to thier kids couldn’t take the noise. That was just game 5.
    This year…… =)

  82. I’ll be Rockin the Red in 400! Can’t believe we have to wait 6 more hours! Thanks for everything Ted. Go Caps!!!!

  84. Did you see the Rangers faces last game, they already know that their done….. LETS GO CAPS!!!

  85. I’ve been ready since Sunday! I’ve been waiting 9 years for this team, and we’re only going to get better.

  87. I will be there loud and proud and rockin’ the red. Lets go Caps!! If not us, who? If not now, when?

  89. Go Caps! Wish I was going to the game tonight, but we decided to pass on tickets since they didn’t win any of the games we were there for earlier in the series. I’ll gladly stay away if it results in a Caps win!

  91. Ted, we are not just going to the game tonight–we are PART of the team and part of the game. I’m sick and tired of hearing Washington Capitals fans getting bad-mouthed. The Caps are a team that we have watched as they grew into what they are today. They are not only talented, but everyone of them is a man of character. We do not have any Avery punks on OUR team. Every one of the Caps is someone we are PROUD to have our kids meet and talk to. When they lost in game 7 last year, WE got punched in the stomach, just like the players. If you thought Friday night game 5 was loud, wait until you hear tonight–you will not be able to hear a thing. This is a come-back for the ages, and we are not going down this year. It will be a sea of red. Even my wife, who has refused to wear red all year (the boys and I all wear our red jerseys), will be in her red division champs shirt tonight. One more things, please start Chris Clark so we can begin the game by yelling our heads off when he’s announced as part of the starting line-up! GO CAPS!!! Can’t wait for the next 6 hours to pass!

  92. My stomach has the butterfies and we are still 6 hours from the faceoff. I have been at all the previous game 7s the caps have played and watched them win and lose. The only “worse” thing is going into overtime in a game 7. I like our chances and hope we rap this series up in a resounding fashion. Win this one, and we get to see at least 2 more. What more could you ask for accept for it to happen 3 more times this spring.

  93. Let’s go Caps! Our whole family is pumped for tonight’s game – even my 4 year old daughter: “go Mike Green!” We’ve organized our whole day around the game. Thank you, Ted, for your committment to bring us this team!

  95. Ted, I’m so ready! The game starts at midnight over here in the UK, I have my first final exam tomorrow morning, I’ll watch for as long as I can, go CAPS!