Washington Capitals fans will get to tune in to Joe B and Locker for an extra game this season.
Monumental Sports Network will get to broadcast the Capitals’ game against the New York Islanders, which had previously been a TNT exclusive, on Sunday, April 6 at 12:30 pm. The NHL announced Tuesday that both networks will now air the matchup.
The broadcast change was announced with Alex Ovechkin just four goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record, which has already caused changes to the Capitals’ schedule and network rights as fans from around the hockey world tune into his pursuit of history.
Five of the Capitals’ eight final contests of the regular season will now air on Monumental Sports Network, with only the April 10 game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the April 12 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the April 15 game against the New York Islanders exclusive to national networks.
Monumental Sports Network announced last month that, as Ovechkin approaches goal no. 895, Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will both be in the booth recording archival broadcasts during those nationally-exclusive games. If Ovechkin scores the record-tying or record-breaking goal, they will release video of the moment with the broadcast team’s call and will air the full coverage of the game 24 hours after the game.
Ovechkin is currently on pace to tie the record on April 10 versus Carolina and break it on April 13 against Columbus.
