The last time the Washington Capitals played at home in front of a full crowd was March 4th, 2020, when they lost 5-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers. That may change very soon.
After being one of the few United-States-based teams playing the better part of the NHL’s shortened season with no fans allowed in attendance, it appears that Capital One Arena is on its way to being full once again.
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Yesterday, May 10th, Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., announced that sporting events in the D.C. area will be allowed increased capacity in the coming weeks. This will all lead up to June 11th, when, as she announced, all large sports venues (including Capital One Arena) will be allowed 100% capacity. Seeing as how June 11th is still some time away and the Washington Capitals’ postseason begins on May 15th, Mayor Bowser also announced that has approved a waiver which will increase Capital One Arena’s current capacity from 2,100 (10%) to 5,250 (25%) which would take effect – you guessed it – May 15th.
#BREAKING D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced some big changes.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 10, 2021
Bars, nightclubs and large sports/entertainment venues will have capacity limits until June 11th.
After 6/11, full capacity. No more restrictions.
That means Capital One Arena will be allowed 100% capacity!
Having more fans in the building for the playoffs is a huge advantage for the Capitals, who have a history of performing in front of loud and passionate crowds during the postseason.
When asked about the restrictions being lifted, head coach Peter Laviolette said, “I didn’t know that so this is the first I’m hearing of that. I think it’s fantastic. The fact that we get to bring more of our fans back in the building. I haven’t experienced it as being a head coach of the Washington Capitals yet, but I’ve been in this building plenty of times and I know the energy that comes in here, and I know how loud it can get, and I know how passionate these fans are. I’m excited to be a part of that and on the right bench to enjoy it.”
This would also be the first time Capitals’ newcomers Conor Sheary, Daniel Sprong, Justin Schultz, Anthony Mantha and Zdeno Chara would get to play in front of a full-capacity crowd at Capital One Arena. Of course, this could only happen if the Capitals make it to the third round of the playoffs.
Being on the outside, looking in at the players on the Washington Capitals, I can’t help but think that this would be some added incentive for them to step their game up during the first two rounds of the postseason. It must be a pretty exciting thought to know that, if they can make their way through the first two rounds of the playoffs, they will get to play their most meaningful hockey in front of a sold-out crowd that hasn’t been sold out in over a year. The fans would go crazy, and the Capitals would immediately become the favourites, regardless of who they would be playing.
The Capitals’ postseason journey begins this Saturday, May 15th, at Capital One Arena against the Boston Bruins. Don’t adjust your television sets folks, you’re just hearing more passionate Caps fans in the building.