Washington Capitals
Speaking of division rivals in massive hockey markets, let’s take a moment to talk about the Washington Capitals. Yes, they have already played in three outdoor games. Yes, they JUST had one a little under two years ago at the Naval Academy. But they are our most eccentric rival. You cannot deny that.
The seven game playoff series to open the playoffs showed just how much these teams are a good rivalry. The teams know it too, throwing shade at each other via twitter in some of the most hilarious ways. But is that enough to justify giving the Capitals their fourth outdoor game in a ten year span?
One would argue that the Chicago Blackhawks got away with having one every year for four straight years and the New York Rangers had TWO in a single season (both technically away games due to the tax regulation of Madison Square Garden) so why not allow Washington another one? They are one of the most cherished franchises in the NHL.
While I would love to tell you that nothing would excite me more than facing off with the villainous Washington Capitals outdoors on a brisk winter day defeating them while scoring goal after goal to thousands of Carolinians raising up and waving their shirts over their heads like helicopters causing the stadium to slowly lift off the ground and rock to the cheers of the crowd, there just might be a better team.
So hear me out, the next page has my perfect opponent for the Carolina Hurricanes.