$350k raised for good causes by Caps Casino Night. Thank you Caps fans! Click here to read all about it-a wonderful night and great generosity.
This is wonderful work by our franchise and our staff and players. Thank you.
Ratings on NBC Sports are not trending well for the NHL.
The Caps vs. Rangers game pulled a 1.0 rating.
The network has shown only 5 games to date this season. With some big match ups. Read this article. The schedule has been helter skelter.
The games start at 12:30 on a Saturday or a Sunday. That seems pretty early – it is 9:30 on the West Coast! And to go 5 weeks between broadcasts of the first game to the second game in just poorly executed programming and scheduling technique.
If the network is serious about how it broadcasts and presents the games – it must show games with regularity – later in the day on weekends – or in prime time; it must promote the games with more vigor as to tune in; it must produce the games with a more “event” like feel; it must “reimagine” its game day presentation to have a more relevant and youthful feel; it is NOT taking advantage of how wired our fan community is – and the broadcasts do not embrace Twitter – Facebook; social video sharing; real time and interactive platforms.
It must also celebrate the game and its stars. It must present in a more embracing and friendly main stream and youthful and modern manner.
I am happy to see the national spotlight on hockey this coming weekend and I do believe NBC does great work with the Winter Classic.
Comcast – which owns NBC – and the regional sports networks and some NBC affiliates – must do a more coordinated job of promotion, and create some appointment viewing. Comcast owns NBC -the DC local NBC affiliate and Comcast Sportsnet that owns the cable rights to the Washington Capitals; did you sense any cooperation and big time promotion around our last two games on NBC here in the DMV to drive ratings or viewership? Same in NYC?
Soon – Apple Computer – Google and other new media concerns will be bidding on sports events and programming. Sports programming has very high value but doesn’t do well in a TIVO like environment. It must be seen live. It is also highly regarded by new media networks. Remember – the Super Bowl broke all records with 150 million people tuning in to watch around the world; that represents less than half the people that get onto Facebook on a daily basis!
The world is changing. Consumer viewing habits are changing. The major networks need to be nudged to do a better job of presenting our game – we are in it together – we want the NHL to be a great experience for all on network television.
Here is a strong piece by John Feinstein on the Capital’s and where we sit.
We are in the 9th spot – one point behind Toronto in the 8th spot.
There are several teams creeping up behind us.
Losing like we did last night doesn’t help our cause. We have 14 road games left to play. And 12 at home.
We have a few days left this week to practice – with a focus on special teams.
Then we embark on a very tough road trip.
We have 2 games to play at home for the rest of the month.
52 standing points left to be had.
Onward.
Come on out – Monday night – against the San Jose Sharks.
We need to feed off of the home crowd enthusiasm and energy.We will soon embark on a long road trip. Against several competitors right above us or right below us in the standings. But we can’t look past tonight’s tilt with a very good team.
I thought yesterday’s game was a tough one – a little better luck burying our chances and we get a point -we hit the post twice – we need to be resilient – we need to focus on capitalizing on our games at home – and obviously we must improve our performance on the road to at least the 500 mark.
No use crying over spilled milk as my Yia Yia used to say – wish us well; wish us speedy recovery to some of our players – and hope we can add some jump via the trade markets during the next few weeks. Go Caps!
When it comes to concussions, patience and caution is the best policy.
Sixty-six players this season have suffered from concussions or from concussion-like symptoms throughout the NHL.
This article in the Washington Post concerning Nicklas Backstrom is enlightening and well researched for our fans.
Nick continues to be day to day. He is missed but he won’t be rushed back into play.
We care for Nick as a player and more importantly as a person.
He will have a long and productive career with us. He signed a 10 year contract with us as you all know.
Wish him well in his recovery.
Mike Green continues to skate and get back into shape. We hope to see him back in the line up in a few weeks. He is missed as well.
Injuries are a part of the game. Onward.
As noted, we must play 500 on the road and keep a more efficient winning rate at home to qualify for the playoffs this season.
This week we only played 500 at home with a loss to Boston; a win over Florida; and a loss in OT last night where we picked up one point. There were 6 points to be had and we garnered 3. That won’t get it done and as you see we sit a point outside of a playoff spot right now.
We now embark on a very tough schedule – 5 of the next 6 games are on the road.
We have a game or two games in hand on teams above us in the standings but Florida has a game in hand on us while we are tied in total points to date.
We have won more regulation games than Florida but they have been much more efficient than us in OT or the shootout gaining that extra point.
Last night’s game was an odd affair with both teams NOT scoring a goal 5 on 5 and the last goal scored by Winnipeg being a bit of a fluke but it counts. We take the loss in a shootout and we must regroup and move on to a tough game at Madison Square Garden against the East leading New York Rangers on Sunday.
See you on Monday night against the Sharks. Go Caps!
You are number 1.
You are the best fans in the best city in the NHL! And the nicest arena. Thank you – read this one form our website, please. Thank you.
Thanks Brooks Laich - hockey is a team game – and you are a fantastic team mate. Thank you. Hockey players are a special kind of tough. Go Caps! On CSN.com.
A really big game for this time of the season.
I am hopeful that we play with intensity and as a team; we are shorthanded – without 3 very talented players – but every team in the NHL suffers injuries this late in the season. We must rise up and play hard and with great emotion.
30 games left in the season – 60 standing points left to fight for – every game and point matters from here on out. Go Caps!
Way to go DC Lottery.
A real winner. The most successful game and sports-themed. I am impressed and we are all happy. Thank you. Read this one.