Maybe this is for the best. Saturday’s expected rain showers have pushed the Winter Classic contest between the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins to 8 p.m. That means – hopefully – drier conditions, time to get the ice in better shape and hockey under the lights in more wintry conditions.
“For me it’s better if it’s going to be evening because it’s like we have a game almost every time at 7 [p.m.],” said Caps forward Alex Ovechkin, who was interviewed before the NHL made the official decision to push back the start time from 1 p.m. “So if it’s going to be at 8 it’s going to be okay because you can sleep. You can get normal food like steaks, spaghetti, and just take a nap before the game.”
Hockey player really are creatures of habit. No one loves an afternoon nap more than they do. But thankfully we won’t have to deal with baseball-style rain delays on Saturday. An added bonus? Happy New Year’s Eve everybody!
“If it’s going to be at 8 you can celebrate New Year’s, too,” Ovechkin said somewhat cryptically. The holiday means a lot in Russian culture. So what are your plans, Alex? “Yeah…”
Point taken.
The game moves to primetime on NBC against a somewhat underwhelming Fiesta Bowl match-up between Connecticut and Oklahoma. That may translate into higher ratings than the previous three Winter Classic. No matter what, it will definitely make this circus event even more of a spectacle.
“I don’t know if it would be bigger. I’m sure the NHL has done a lot of studies on what the best time of day would be to have it,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “I mean, as far as us – as players, coaches – I don’t care if they play at midnight. Let’s get it going.”
Think I’m kidding about hockey players and routine? These guys have one-track minds: “You get a nap. That’s a good thing,” said Caps forward Jason Chimera when asked about the good things that go along with the time change. “It’s good to get the whole day to enjoy stuff and get the hype up. Maybe the fans can also get a few extra beers in them and make it a little bit louder. Either way, it’s going to be a fun day.”
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