The NHL yesterday altered the normal 2-2-1-1-1 playoff
schedule for the Penguins-Capitals first-round series
"because of scheduling conflicts" at Mellon Arena, according
to Jason La Canfora of the WASHINGTON POST, who writes that
Game One of the series will be played in DC, followed by
Games Two and Three in Pittsburgh, before the series returns
to DC for Game Four. If necessary, Games Five and Seven
would also be played in DC, while Game Six would be in
Pittsburgh, resulting in a possible 1-2-2-1-1 "playoff
format rarity." The conflicts at Mellon include a wrestling
show one day, a dance show on two days and a figure skating
exhibition another day. In addition, there were "issues
related to" ABC wanting the Capitals and Penguins on their
Sunday telecast. Capitals Majority Owner Ted Leonsis, on
the format change: "It's not a big deal. People are blowing
it all out of proportion. You can look at it in many ways.
... We're on ABC-TV [Saturday], and that's never happened
for us before." La Canfora adds that ABC had "little
interest" in showing the Senators-Maple Leafs on Saturday,
"preferring a contest" between two U.S. teams. Capitals
President & Minority Owner Dick Patrick: "The league wanted
to have a Saturday TV game with these two teams. Having
that Saturday game was a driving force" (WASHINGTON POST,
4/11). In Pittsburgh, Dejan Kovacevic writes that an NHL
spokesperson "confirmed" yesterday that ABC has "virtually
unlimited authority to get its desired matchups" at its most
convenient dates and times (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/11).
USA TODAY's Mike Brehm cites NHL playoff regulations, which
state that "if a club does not have its building available
for three consecutive nights, the commissioner may alter the
sequence of the games." The Capitals "were offered the
option" of playing back-to-back Games One and Two in DC, but
declined (USA TODAY, 4/11). In DC, Eric Fisher writes that
Mellon Arena officials "did not have a lot of faith the
Penguins would be in the postseason this spring or perhaps
even in town" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/11). Mellon Arena GM
Hank Abate defended booking the events, saying it would have
been "irresponsible" to block the arena from all other
events between early April and June only for hockey. Abate:
"What usually happens is that we book the building and the
NHL works around us" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/11).
