Will I ever hear, "Caps win, story at 11?"

This morning, Caps owner Ted Leonsis ran a piece on his blog urging a local radio sports host to program more Caps coverage.  Leonsis points out that the Caps have the highest level of "engagement" in the league right now, with strong attendance, a hit-magnet website, and TV ratings up 140% on Comcast alone.  (I'm telling you the HD thing is making it work!)

Leonsis makes a case that if local outlets will run more Caps coverage, fans will tune in.  I agree.  In fact, my bet is that one of the reasons the Caps' website gets so many hits is because fans can't find Caps info easily enough in the local media.  The other day, my Tivo cut off the end of a game that ran long, so I missed the outcome.  Rather than getting a little analysis -- or even a quick highlights reel -- the local 11 o'clock news relegated the Caps to a P.S. after post-season Redskins coverage, NFL playoffs, college basketball, NBA coverage, golf notes, and who-knows-what else. 

How can anyone follow the team when the best the local media does is "...and the Caps lost tonight in Montreal?" 

Caps fever

Apparently, it’s not just me.  In today’s Washington Post, sportswriter Tom Boswell talks about the sudden surge of enthusiasm for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. 

Boswell chalks up the interest to the Caps strong performance this year, which has them owning the fourth-best record in hockey. 

Maybe.  But don’t discount HD TV.

Either way, Go Caps!

HD on Ice

I’ve written about hockey, attended hockey games,  but I’ve never been a big fan of watching hockey on TV.  Here in my native Washington, D.C., hockey doesn’t get much attention competing with Redskins football, Orioles (and now Nats) baseball, ACC basketball, Wizards basketball, and even Hopkins lacrosse.  (Go Blue Jays!)

But, now that I have HD TV, my priorities may be changing.  After watching the thrilling (and well-broadcast) NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, I’ve caught several Caps games – and I feel a new obsession coming on.

Couldn’t come at a better time.  The Caps are off to their best season ever, and they have the best player in the NHL with Alexander Ovechkin. 

At this minute, they’re about to go into an overtime shootout with the Flyers.  Now that I can see the puck, maybe I’ll even be able to tell who won without checking online.