Metro to Stay Open Late for Capitals Playoff Games

Metrorail, which has a station near Verizon Center (Gallery Place/Chinatown), will stay open an hour later if any Washington Capitals hockey playoff games run late or go into overtime, according to The Washington Post.

The Capitals open their quest for the Stanley Cup against the New York Rangers on at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Last year, Game 3 of the Capitals’ playoff series against the Rangers went to triple overtime, ending well after midnight—when Metro typically closes on weekdays. The Post reports that an announcement will be made inside the Verizon Center by 11 p.m.

Metro riders will be able to exit the transit system at any station, but will only be able to enter at Gallery Place (all entrances), Judiciary Square (only on F Street) and Metro Center (11th and G Streets NW only).

When Verizon Center events lead to a need to keep Metro open late, taxpayers are not on the hook for the extra expense. As they did during March’s NCAA basketball games, the center has put up a deposit ($29,500) to cover the extra expense incurred by Metro. Metro calculates the actual number of riders, and refunds the event’s organizer any overpayment.