Revisiting the Washington Capitals Outdoor Game History
The Washington Capitals will be visiting the Carolina Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC this Saturday, February 18th for the 13th Stadium Series game in NHL history. The Capitals will be participating in their fourth ever outdoor game, while the Hurricanes will be getting to experience the outdoors for the first time in franchise history.
With the beloved outdoor game quickly approaching, it seems like it would be an appropriate time to revisit the Washington Capitals outdoor game history.
1. January 1st, 2011: Washington Capitals 3 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 1
The Washington Capitals first outdoor game came against none other than longtime rivals; Pittsburgh Penguins. A Winter Classic New Year’s day clash at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA, two of the NHL’s biggest names in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin took the ice. In a game where neither superstar recorded a point, this game was notoriously known for a blindside hit to the head on Sidney Crosby by Capitals’ forward, David Steckel. Eric Fehr was the one who stole the show, scoring two goals in under just 10 minutes of time on ice, to lead the Capitals victorious.
Sidney Crosby remained in the game after the Steckel hit, but was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season after taking a hit from behind from Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman, Victor Hedman in the following game. The Steckel and Hedman hits are deemed as key factors to the start of Sidney Crosby’s concussion history.
2. January 1st, 2015: Chicago Blackhawks: 2 vs. Washington Capitals: 3
The Washington Capitals welcomed the Chicago Blackhawks to Nationals Park in Washington, DC for their second Winter Classic and outdoor game in franchise history. Eric Fehr scored once again another outdoor game goal, while Alex Ovechkin picked up a goal and an assist for his first points outdoors. After taking a two goal lead in the first period, the Blackhawks came back to tie the game to set up an epic ending to the NHL’s 7th Winter Classic. After a questionable penalty called on Blackhawks Captain, Jonathan Toews late in the third period, the Capitals took advantage. With just 13 seconds left to play in regulation, Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal to put the Capitals on top of another NHL outdoor game.
3. March 3rd, 2018: Toronto Maple Leafs: 2 vs. Washington Capitals: 5
The Capitals played their third outdoor game and first Stadium Series game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD, playing hosts to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. In a one sided game where Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson all had 1 goal and 2 assist nights, this game was morely noted to honor and recognize the importance of all military personnel in the U.S.A and Canada, while also playing on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy, the first service academy to host an NHL game. Alex Ovechkin and former Capital, Jakub Vrana also scored singles to aid the Capitals win.
The game also experienced a 15 minute delay in the middle of the third period, where the lights went out at the commercial break.
Related Story. Capitals fall short again to Panthers. light
The Washington Capitals have experienced nothing but good fortune in their franchise’s outdoor game history, holding a record of 3-0-0. They will hope to continue to improve their outdoor game record this Saturday at 8:00 PM EST, when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes.