Please read this article by Michael Wilbon in today’s Washington Post.
It refers to our pending series with Pittsburgh as a “circus” but also as a celebration of great talent and of high-spirited competitiveness between two very good young talent laden teams.
We all must remember that the circus is great family entertainment where safety, security and high value is of paramount importance which is our commitment to everyone.
We all get back to work today. We had a day to chill out and I must admit that no one now is thinking of the past but is now just focused on the immediate task at hand. The joy we felt after winning Game 7 against the Rangers is now long gone for the staff and the players. The specter of playing a great team in Round 2 is now on everyone’s mind.
Our opponent is a mirror image of our team. They have been rebuilt in a similar fashion only they are ahead of us in the plan as they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. And this year, they also ended the season as one of the best teams in the entire NHL.
They have great goaltending; a strong D corps; a high scoring D man; edgy wings; veterans in the lineup; and two sublime world class centers. They also have a great ownership group; a terrific new coach; and a rabid and passionate fan base.
And soon they will have a much deserved world class facility to play in. It is a shame that both teams will have to play back to back games later in the series because the Pittsburgh building – against NHL rules – booked a series of concerts and forced the league to alter the playoff schedule. This is bad for the league, both fan bases and for the players.
The playoffs are very intense and physical and players need time to recoup. No one is advantaged by playing back to back games so no one can complain but it is unfortunate that the Yanni concert takes precedence over high quality NHL playoff hockey.
I also have stated publicly that I believe rivalries are forged in the playoffs and that Pittsburgh has certainly had the upper hand in our historic series. Until we get closer to them in terms of winning percentages in the playoffs, I understand why this isn’t yet a classic rivalry.
I am sure the league and the networks will set all sorts of ratings highs this series and that both fan bases will be on high alert with the passion and creativity flowing. This is the kind of series that you play the game to be involved in - great talent, high expectations and high drama. We need to embrace it. Extend it. Enjoy it and play to our capabilities.
This series represents the next step in the evolution for our team. This is a gigantic test for us. We will prepare well. Wish us luck. Start to save up those good vibes and we will see you all on Saturday at Verizon Center. Onward. Go Caps!
Christopher, you are lost and dumb. I agree with Ted but they clearly should have started the series earlier instead of giving the Caps 2 days off after a long series with NYR. I am sure if the Caps would have won either of the back to back games then there would not be as much crying and complaining. The Pens have outplayed the Caps almost every game and the young Russian goalie sensation is the only reason why the Caps are still in it. And Alex of course
who cares. nhl playoffs are watered down, theres too many playoff games. they need to eliminate 1 series, so 8 teams make the playoffs, not 16, half the damn league.
Ted, as you are a nice man and a thoughtful man, on the remote chance that you will read this, I thought I would air a grievance. Why has the NHL resorted to the cheap theatrics of the NFL -horns, spotlights, smoke-machines, “let’s get ready to rumble” announcements every time a penalty is called – and commentators who sound more like they’re announcing for the WWF than the NHL? Do you and the other owners not believe that the game can sell itself? I am a Ranger fan, and alas, the good folks at MSG are just as guilty of this as you are (although you are a tough act to beat), but I have to say, since you seem to be a more inquisitive sort than most of the emopty suits who run the teams, don’t you find these pyrotechnics rather desperate and depressing? What is more electric than Ovechkin himself? Isn’t it enough to watch him score without sirens and spotlights? You do your team and the game a disservice by the suggestion that the on-ice accomplishments are not enough to stoke the fans.
Games should be back-to-back, like in the old days. I understand that they need a travel day between cities, but its close enough. Don’t let this be the cause of your failure, like in past years (Rick Wilson’s whinning).
The fact that the NHL doesn’t get the respect it deserves is because of the Neanderthals running it. A good like Brashear takes out a talented player off the Rangers with a cheap shot and gets a 6 game suspension whereas Betts misses the rest of that series. Get the goons out of the game.
” The bandwagon Caps fans ” says he from the team who had the worst attendance in the NHL when they were tanking. Didn’t see those sellouts in Mellon then, did you?
Hey Sherry…
Yes…bummer that you’re in NJ and a Caps fan, with tickets unavailable to us through Ticketmaster HOWEVER….I’d rather watch it on TV KNOWING the Verizon Center will be a “sea of red” and rocking loud and proud for the Caps!
I’m with Mr. Leonsis and his team on this one….tickets should go to the hometown crowd first!
Sherry,
If I had a guess, it would be that tickets can only be sold online to people in the DC Metro area so that Pens fans don’t buy up half of the arena anymore.
First the NHL accomodates NBC by stretching the series over 2 weekends, then NBC rewards us hockey fans by stating that if the game goes into OT, it will be cut off at 4 to switch over to the Kentucky Derby, and the game will be dumped off on Versus OUTSIDE of the Pittsburgh and Washington markets – ack! I hope the Pens mop up the Caps early so this thing doesn’t go into OT.
Its the same travel/time off between games for both teams. Get over it.
The fan bases will be fine. The bandwagon Caps fans wont travel to Pittsburgh for Game 4 and Game 5 in DC will have plenty of Pens fans.
A concert at the Verizon Center on may, 18th, 2009? What’s THAT about, Teddy? WHO SAID YOU COULD DO THAT?! CHEATERS!!!
Can you explain why:“The event is only open to Washington Capitals Season Ticket Holders located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area…..”
We’ve driven from NJ several times in the past 2 years to see the Caps play and never encountered this exception when purchasing tickets. A 5+ hour drive to the Verizon is hard enough with 2 kids battling the whole way. Now you want us to drive 7+ to Pittsburgh (UGG)(seriously UGGGGG). THIS IS DISCRIMINATION! You are making out-of-the-area fans “separate but equal”. It’s OK to cheer from home, but we are not allowed to associate with DC metro-season ticket holders. That practice was abolished by law years ago! Please advise if you will reconsider this discrimination against out- of-the-area fans who aren’t so rich.
hey ted i think if you spied on a Pens practice you might win this series too
woooo
I’ll also add that teams play back-to-backs all season long with no complaints – both teams are equally tired from a back to back, so may the best team win, and no sissy excuses.
If there was something already scheduled in Pitt for whatever day why didn’t NHL alter the schedule or have the first game start earlier like tonight? A Friday night game and Sun afternoon game (that are usually on the schedule) sounds a lot better then game 1 on Sat at 1PM? That is lame. I hope NBC was not worried that they would have had to bump “Howie Does It” from the 8-9 slot… Ted that is what you need to argee. A Friday night/Sunday afternoon is a lot better then Sat afternoon and Monday (I hate going back to work) night games.
It looks to me like the NHL wanted to guarantee this series extended over 2 weekends, so it pushed the start back to Saturday. Had it started Thursday, as it probably should have, or even Friday, the back-to-back games probably could have been avoided. As it stands, the Caps get an extra 2 days off after a 7 game series, so really shouldn’t be griping.
So you’re saying the “against the rules” scheduling “violation” has nothing to do with the fact that the NHL chose to push the start of this series off until Saturday because this is the matchup they were praying for? Arena management was just supposed to clear the calendar for that whole week, months in advance, just in case the Caps got matched up with Pittsburgh in the second round and the NHL decided to make a last minute shift in the schedule to try and maximize TV viewers? Nice to see you’re mentally preparing the fans by creating conspiracy theories to pin it on in case the Caps lose.
As a former circus clown (way back in the 70s!), thanks for the nice analogy! See you at the phone booth tomorrow.
this series should have started on thursday april 30. then the stupid ass concerts would not have affected any games.
Seriously…you guys make it sound like Ray Shero called up Yanni himself last week and scheduled him last minute just to screw with the Caps. I bet you he’s probably staying at Dan Bylsma’s house too.
Actually…this wouldn’t have even been an issue if the series didn’t start on Saturday…but I can see why the league might want to wait and give this game 1 a “good” time slot on a Saturday afternoon on NBC. In the end…they thought a back-to-back was worth the initial exposure on Saturday.
Caps fans shouldn’t really be complaining about the scheduling for this series. This whole “back-to-back games because of Yanni” thing could have been avoided if the NHL would have started the series last night like they probably should have. Instead the Capitals are getting a few days rest (judging by Ovechkin sitting out practice, it was much needed) and then Pens are going a week without playing even though our series went 6 games. That is more unheard of than playing on back to back days in the playoffs.
All things considered playing on back to back days is not an advantage for one team over the other, both teams have to go through it, so I don’t think it is really something worth getting all up in arms about. Besides if the Pens sweep you won’t even have to worry about it…just kidding guys…here is to a long, hard fought, clean series!
Go Pens!
And what a circus it will be! Wish I could be there??? I live in PA…Adams County, about a mile from the MD border and about 1 1/2 hours from DC depending on the traffic down I-270.
I thought I’d give Ticketmaster a quick look to see about tickets to this round of the playoffs (wanted to be part of a “classic” playoff)…but alas, looks like the available tickets are being kept in the DC area….which is an OK thing with me. I really didn’t like when the previous owner of the Caps would “dump” tickets in the Pittsburgh and Philly area when the Caps were playing those teams. You’d get to a game and instead of Caps Fans….the place was filled with Pens and Flyers fans.
NOW…just one question…When we make it to the Cup Finals….will you sell tickets to folks with an Anchorage Alaska address? My son lives and works in the Anchorage area. He’s with the AK Air National Guard and is a HUGE CAPS FAN! I’ve heard rumblings from him about coming down for a game….sure don’t want to disappoint him. Heck..he’s always winning tickets from the “Caps Report” which he gives to Mom, also a Caps Fan!
Not sure this is where I should be “blogging” this comment?
Just wanted Mr. Leonsis to know I heard the interview he had on NHL Home Ice with Gary Bettman today! It was an awesome interview…hey anyone who can have Phil Esposito uhhing and ahhing….has done a great interview!
Yanni/Crosby…same thing.
Pens assumed they would have home ice and it would not matter. Simple mistake. Do not worry, it gives teddy a built in excuse, unless the Pens sweep the caps.
Dearest Ted,
First of all, thank you for allowing me to be a season ticket holder. I will now view a dynasty first hand. I said last season we are witnessing the birth of a dynasty. People now believe me.
Second. Contrary to what the sport reporters have said, in no way shape or form were the fans booing the Caps after the second period. Our boos’ were directed at the refs for stick work in that final 4 second segment.
Third. Brashear is not a dirty player. Betts fell unlucky just as Donald did a few years ago. They changed the rule about properly securing your helmet after that incident.
Fourth. Do you think they will change a rule from Avery’s play in Game 1? When Green got dumped into the player’s bench and Avery gave him the business which was fare. But, he then took 2 or 3 strides away spun and returned to give him some more business. He disengaged, and then reengaged without the puck being near. Why is that legal?
Fifth. Could you ask the Nhl to publish a list of rules that our opponets are allowed to break?
Thanks.
Looked at the schedule for Mellon and there are three other events at Mellon during the time period for the second round. At least, their conflicts are as bad as the dance event that took away the Caps home ice advantage and then got canceled after the playoff schedule was set. Now if the Yanni concert suddenly gets canceled, then it will make me wonder.
The scheduling is what it is. The Capitals can win back-to-back games. This year’s team has done things that no one thought they could do, breaking franchise and league records along the way.
Let’s go Caps!
Ted — Yanni is Greek, right? Surely you can convince him to reschedule…he’s gotta be a Caps fan.
You don’t think the fact the NHL is starting this series 2 days after the beginning of round 2 has any effect on those back to back games? Maybe if the series started Thurs or Fri there wouldn’t be this issue. But of course, as the Capitals owner, its all the Penguins fault. Get the golf clubs warmed up.
Perhaps the Caps/VC might play Yanni each time the Pens take the ice this weekend…
I say, “Unleash the Fury on Flurey!!!”
Hey Ted if this was against league rules how is it still happening? Are they just going to get a fine or what?
It’s a Yanni concert that’s forcing this crazy schedule? In 1998, when the Caps went to the finals, a Yanni concert was cancelled at the MCI center so the Finals could go on…
ted, why is it that our schedule always gets messed up when playing the penquins? didn’t we get a home game taken away from us the last time we played the pens in the playoffs. and what good are rules if teams dont follow them. i dont want to come off whiny like the rangers, but the team should penalized for this.
at any rate, here hoping it wont matter cause we sweep ‘em in four. go caps.
Pittsburgh not thinking their team was good enough to go far in the playoffs and scheduling something that messes up a series against the caps… WHERE HAVE I HEAD THIS BEFORE?
In 2000 it was the Burn the Floor fiasco… now it’s this? Can’t the league do anything about this? Burn the Floor (which was cancelled, by the way) cost the Caps the series.
I didn’t realize the NBA playoffs were over.
I guess the Post needed another columnist to write about the Capitals since their New York-based columnist had her teams eliminated.
Another Pittsburgh arena scheduling fiasco?
Didn’t Pittsburgh’s arena availability screw up the scheduling in either 2000 or 2001 series with the Caps? Someone refresh my memory here please. Thanks.
I guess when the arena booked Yanni, the Pens were outside the playoff line then, I don’t know.
Yanni? Are you serious?!
Lovely times at the Verizon Center lately, Ted. Looking forward to more.
eds