Washington Capitals

With a Washington Capitals ticket, you're getting more than just a great ice hockey game. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, just blocks away from the National Mall and its museums and monuments. Make sure you take some time before the game to take a stroll through the beautiful parks and avenues that make up the capital city of the United States. You certainly won't regret it.

The Star
Rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin, with his 52 goals, 54 assists and 106 points is the hottest rising star in the NHL. The young Russian was the number one overall draft pick in 2004, and ranked third overall in league scoring. An outstanding player in the Russian Superleague for Dynamo Moscow, he was the youngest player to lead the team in scoring and was named the Best Left Wing in the Superleague. Now, he's come to the NHL looking to prove his skills in the best professional hockey league in the world. He's simply amazing to watch on the ice. Don't miss out on your chance to see him play this season with Washington Capitals tickets!

The Coach
The Capitals did better than everyone expected last season. Credit head coach Glen Hanlon with the Capitals' surprise showing. Even though the Caps were consistently facing off against teams with more talent, Washington showed up prepared to play. Hanlon, in his second season, can turn this team around with his hard-working attitude. He's certainly a coach to watch, and Caps fans expect a lot from him. He's sure to exceed their high expectations.

The Team
Ovechkin can't carry the Caps by himself. Goalie Olaf Kolzig will help out a bit by minding the net. He's one of the most solid goalies in the league. The addition of Brian Pothier will help on the blue line, but this is a team still in construction. Will this be the year a leader emerges on the team and takes the Caps to the playoffs? With Hanlon behind the bench, things could definitely be a lot worse in Washington.
 

Washington Capitals info

Get your Washington Capitals tickets well in advance. Make sure your chinstrap is buckled, and head out to the MCI Center. The Washington Capitals have embarked on a youth movement, a rebuilding phase that threatens to rock the Southeast Division, as the Capitals re-load for a shot at the NHL Playoffs. Dealing their aging veterans in the off-season, Washington is banking on draft picks and prospects in the 2005-2006 NHL season, including Alexander Ovechkin, the first player selected in the Entry Draft, to provide Capitals ticket holders with a trip to the postseason.

Besides Ovechkin, the Capitals brought in Shane Morrison, a 2001 draft choice of the Boston Bruins to play defense. But the emphasis on youth hasn’t gone to the heads of management. The Capitals found time to sign some veterans to help in the rebuilding. A trade with the New Jersey Devils brought in Jeff Friesen, and center Andrew Cassels, formerly of the Columbus Blue Jackets, provides some experience at center. Keeping his position on the right side will be nine-year veteran Dainius Zubrus.

The Washington Capitals last challenged for a Stanley Cup in 1998. They began the year with a new head coach in Ron Wilson and a new arena, the MCI Center. A 40-30-12 record was good enough to finish in third place and give the Capitals a playoff berth. After disposing the Boston Bruins in six games, the Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a five-game series win over the Ottawa Senators. Washington got off to a slow start by dropping Game 1 to the Buffalo Sabres, but rebounded to win three straight, and finished off the Sabres with an overtime win in Game 6. The Stanley Cup Finals appearance though, ended up with the Capitals being swept by the Detroit Red Wings.

Don’t wait to get your Washington Capitals tickets. While the Capitals may be fielding a team of relative unknowns, there is plenty of potential and NHL stars waiting in the wings. The rebuilding process takes time, but there’s no reason the Capitals can’t challenge for a Southeast Division title with the mixture of youth and talent they’ll put on the ice in 2005-2006. The MCI Center and Washington Capitals tickets may be your first chance at seeing an NHL superstar emerge from the crowd.