#MoCo Online: Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The first-round series between the Capitals and the New York Rangers has folks talking.

The Washington Capitals took care of business at home, but lost to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday, narrowing their lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The series has Montgomery County residents who love to "rock the red" tweeting. @score429 tweeted: The Rangers-Caps series is the best of the 1st round.Tough, two-way hockey.The team that wins will be tough to beat in the East. #nyr #caps @moneymetalcakes of Olney encouraged fans to grow a playoff beard like the players: "Join me, grow a playoff beard at http://po.st/TLWWBR . The fan who raises the most $ now thru 5/10 at 730 pm wins a #Caps signed jersey." @fatbradpitt of Silver Spring thought Caps defensive lapses contributed to…

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Metro to Stay Open Late for Capitals Playoff Games

Metrorail to go to OT if Caps do.

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 …

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Local Businesses Cheer Return of Capitals Hockey After Lockout

Bars, sports apparel stores and other local business that depend on Capitals fans to boost sales during the Winter faced significant challenges when the NHL cancelled the first half of the season.

By Eric Morrow for Capital News Service  When the Washington Capitals took the ice for the first time this season on Saturday, the only people cheering louder than the fans were the business owners whose profits were frozen by the NHL lockout. Bars, sports apparel stores and other local business that depend on Capitals fans to boost sales during the Winter faced significant challenges when the NHL cancelled the first half of the season. "There was definitely a noticeable drop-off in business when the Capitals were not playing," said Markus Smith, general manager of Rocket Bar located across the street from the Verizon Center, home of the Capitals. "The lockout was horrible." Smith also said the he expects his bar to be busy for every game…

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PHOTO GALLERY: Washington Capitals Hockey School Comes to Silver Spring

Jason Chimera taught students the basic skills of hockey.

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