We’re going back outside! The Washington Capitals will take on the Carolina Hurricanes next season outdoors in the 2023 Stadium Series the NHL announced this afternoon. Our friends at Chirpin DMV reported the news first.
The Caps head to Raleigh on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at North Carolina State’s Carter Finley Stadium. The Caps are 3-0 in outdoor games and look to win a fourth one. The first time they played outside was under the lights at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 Winter Classic.
In 2015 it was the Caps turn to host the outdoor game as they welcomed the Chicago Blackhawks before beating them in crunch time with 12 seconds left thanks to a game winning goal from Troy Brouwer. Alex Ovechkin and Eric Fehr also scored in that game.
Fehr had a two goal night against the Penguins four years prior. Mike Knuble also scored in that game.
The Caps would then host the Stadium Series in 2018 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Jakub Vrana all scored in that game. We all know what happened at the end of that season too. So thank you NHL for putting us in a Stadium Series game because we had success the last time that happened.
Let's go 4-0! pic.twitter.com/CtGzaHTxrw
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 3, 2022
One of the coolest parts of attending an outdoor game is just being in the elements. I happened to be at the 2015 Winter Classic at Nationals Park and it was an absolute blast. It’s a lot different compared to being under a roof but the noise can still generate from the stands to the ice, creating a distinct atmosphere.
There’s no doubt lots of Caps fans are already planning a road trip to Raleigh. They showed up in Pittsburgh and they can do it again. Sorry Hurricanes, this was a “rivalry” you made.