Hockey

A Caps Fan’s Sochi Winter Olympics Hockey Viewing Cheat Sheet Pt.1

When Secretary of State John Kerry drops the ceremonial puck on Thursday night for the game against the Winnipeg Jets to commemorate the Olympians heading off to Sochi, we Caps fans get the chance to show just how proud we are of Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson, and yes, even Martin Erat, for their participation in the upcoming Olympics.

For Ovi (especially) and Backstrom, the spotlight is on them to contribute and lead their respective teams to bring home gold. For Carlson, a thrilling opportunity at such an early stage in his career to be part of a strong, deep, Team USA that could contend for gold once again. For Erat, a chance for some redemption during a rough season marred by trade request controversy.

So when do we get to watch our Caps engage in the drama that is Olympic hockey and play for national pride? Get your calendars out and your alarm clocks ready.

Here are the Round Robin schedules for each team a Capital is playing on:

Ovechkin – Russia (Group A)

Thursday, Feb. 13 — @7:30 AM EST: Russia vs. Slovenia

Channel: MSNBC

Saturday, Feb. 15 — @7:30 AM EST: USA [Carlson] vs. Russia [Ovi]

Channel: NBCSN

Sunday, Feb. 16 — @7:30 AM EST: Russia vs. Slovakia

Channel: USA

Backstrom – Sweden (Group C)

Wednesday, Feb. 12 — @ Noon EST: Czech Republic [Erat] vs. Sweden [Backstrom]

Channel: USA

Friday, Feb. 14 — @7:30 AM EST: Sweden vs. Switzerland

Channel: NBCSN

Saturday, Feb. 15 — @Noon EST: Sweden vs. Latvia

Channel: USA

Carlson – USA (Group A)

Thursday, Feb. 13 — @7:30 AM EST: USA vs. Slovakia

Channel: NBCSN

Saturday, Feb. 15 — @7:30 AM EST: USA [Carlson] vs. Russia [Ovi]

Channel: NBCSN

Sunday, Feb. 16 — @7:30 AM EST: USA vs. Slovenia

Channel: NBCSN

Erat – Czech Republic (Group C)

Wednesday, Feb. 12 — @Noon EST: Czech Republic [Erat] vs. Sweden [Backstrom]

Channel: USA

Friday, Feb. 14 — @3:00 AM(!) EST: Czech Republic vs. Latvia

Channel: MSNBC

Saturday, Feb. 15 — @Noon EST: Switzerland vs. Czech Republic

Channel: NBCSN

So, the games where Caps play each other in the Round Robin are Czech Republic-Sweden on 2/12 at Noon EST on USA, and USA-Russia on 2/15 at 7:30 AM EST (on a Saturday no less…) on NBCSN.

Pretty safe to say that USA-Russia match-up on the 15th will be quite the showdown. Get ready to get up early, or set your DVR’s and avoid spoilers on social media.

For all you Canadians/people who just like good hockey, the Finland vs. Canada game on 2/16 at Noon EST on USA should be pretty entertaining as well.

Keep checking here for Part 2 of the Cheat Sheet which will be posted when the match-ups for the Playoffs Qualifications are determined and we have a better picture of what the playoff brackets will be.

Jim Banks

Jim Banks is a graduate student and an avid Caps fan. As Joe Beninati would say, "no relation" to Barbara Banks.

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