After years of taking first or second place in the Patrick Division but falling short in April, it was time for the Washington Capitals flip the script. Scott Stevens, Rod Langway and Alan May discuss the 1989-90 Capitals, the hiring of coach Terry Murray and what might have been.
NHL players have no sustained track record of speaking out on societal issues, perhaps part of the reticence that is generally found in hockey. There was no collective outrage after Akim Aliu, Devante Smith-Pelly and Wayne Simmonds joined the list of players who have publicly described their personal experience with racism in hockey. This time, the culture of silence was nowhere to be found in a league that is over 95% white.
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby and his wife Brandi Holtby announced an auction called “Get Off the Bench for Racial Equality,” in which fans can bid on items signed by Holtby and other Capitals players with proceeds benefitting Black Lives Matter D.C. and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
The NHL released further details about its playoff format Thursday under its restart plan.
More Washington Capitals players are releasing statements speaking out against racism and police brutality in the wake of protests and the death of George Floyd, and Tom Wilson announced a donation to a mutual fund helping black communities in Wards 7 and 8.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was the latest star athlete to chime in on the death of George Floyd and protests that have erupted in the District of Columbia and across the country.
Reid Cashman, the Washington Capitals’ assistant coach in charge of defense, will leave later this year to become the head coach of Dartmouth University’s men’s hockey team.
Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters Friday that the team has been in contact with government officials about making sure its practice facility in Arlington, Virginia, can reopen when the NHL enacts Phase 2.
The Capitals are discussing bringing 2019 first-round draft pick Connor McMichael up from the Ontario Hockey League as one of their reserve players for the playoffs, general manager Brian MacLellan revealed Friday.
The Philadelphia Phillies shut down their spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida, after five players and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Elsewhere in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning closed its practice rink down after three players and two staff reportedly tested positive for the virus.
Canada has approved a National Hockey League plan to play in Canada during the coronavirus pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday.
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
BASEBALL
OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma’s new cases of the coronavirus have continued to skyrocket as the state reported its second-biggest daily increase in its case load.
The Michigan appeals court ruled in favor of the state Thursday in a challenge to a second bridge being built between Detroit and Canada.
The Edmonton Oilers’ resurgence placed Connor McDavid back in the NHL MVP conversation, along with teammate Leon Draisaitl.
AUSTRALIAN RULES
CURLING
A group of sports governing bodies have teamed up to help local governments and policy makers speed up the safe return of live competitions and reopening of grassroots venues.
June 24
Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from New York’s newspapers:
It’s been three months and a few days since Adam Silver pulled the plug on NBA games, the first domino in a long row of events to fall to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With so much uncertainty, Larry Quinn can't predict just how severe the NHL's financial losses might be due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
NBA
NHL players won’t be expected to wear full face shields if games resume this summer, though there could be plenty of covered faces around them.
The arena for Seattle's expansion NHL team is behind schedule by a couple of months but is still expected to open in plenty of time for the team to begin play in the 2021-22 NHL season.
