If you’ve recently purchased tickets to a Caps home game or you’re gearing up to Rock the Red in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you may have noticed the reappearance of Standing Room Only ticket options on your vendor’s website. First appearing during the 2010 playoffs and now officially available as a season ticket option for the 2011-2012 season, Standing Room Only (or SRO) tickets at the Verizon Center have become a regular offering for the Caps faithful that provides fans a rather unique game-watching experience.

Considering SRO tickets? Read on!

The Red Rockers dig Standing Room Only

Matt Gajtka is a Featured Writer and Penguins Beat Reporter for Sports Haze Pittsburgh. He also hosts the Polish Prodigy Podcast, an audio exploration of sports and culture, on Blog Talk Radio (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mattgajtka).

In his first major act as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ray Shero drafted Peterborough Petes center Jordan Staal with the second overall selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound jetliner scored 96 points in two Ontario Hockey League seasons prior to being chosen by the Penguins, who had just completed their third straight last-place season.

Brighter days seemed imminent for Pittsburgh, though: 2005 No. 1 overall pick Sidney Crosby had scored 100 points as an 18-year-old and 2004 No. 2 selection Evgeni Malkin was set to join the roster in the fall of 2006 after escaping his Russian club.

With enviable wealth already in place at center, Shero could have been excused for searching for an elite young winger to complement either Crosby or Malkin for years to come. Instead, the rookie GM bypassed available sniper prospects like Phil Kessel, Derick Brassard and Kyle Okposo in favor of a third pivot.

Upon first glance at the 2006 draft chart, conventional wisdom informs that the best player taken was at No. 3, where Chicago snagged current captain Jonathan Toews from the University of North Dakota. Toews led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup last season, has 266 points in 299 career games and is widely respected for his intense demeanor and precocious leadership skills.

Sweden’s Nicklas Backstrom went to the Capitals in the fourth spot, making it three consecutive centers taken after the Blues made U.S. National Team defenseman Erik Johnson the No. 1 selection. While Backstrom hasn’t received the attention of Toews, he is the only member of his draft class to record a 100-point season (101 in 2009-10).

Read more about Backstrom!

Thinking back to my childhood, there are quite a few memories associated with being a fan of the Washington Capitals. My first live hockey game, sitting on the glass against the Rangers, meeting Olie Kolzig when he was in the minors, being upset when Mike Gartner was traded. But there is one memory that has lingered all these years simply because it happened in the playoffs. Unfortunately, it's not a good memory. So, after all these years, I'm finally ready to give in.

Pat LaFontaine, I forgive you.

There is nothing like going to overtime in Game 7 of a playoff series. It shows that the two teams are as even can be. As a fan of the losing team, there is no 'coming to terms' before the final horn. It's just over. So enduring three full overtimes (and part of a 4th) before that moment is especially heartbreaking. For years, despite his amazing skill and the gentlemanly way he played the game, I could never get past that one goal. I hated Pat LaFontaine.

But recently, my Washington Capitals Fandom has been in a forgiving mood. Hate is an intensely negative thing and when it's carried along for the ride no good can come of it. Now that the playoffs are at our doorstep, it's time for me to excuse the injustices of the past. To forgive and forget. I'm hoping for a bit of Karmic redemption in the form of a long playoff run.

Kevin, it's going to take more than just forgiving Pat LaFontaine for that to happen.

Oh, ok. Here's the list of everything else I'm forgiving for the playoffs:

• Scott Stevens, I forgive you for leaving even though we all know the Caps win a Cup if you stay.
• Esa Tikkannen, I forgive you for missing an open net, even though we all know the series would have turned with a win.
• Abe Pollin, I forgive you for treating my beloved Caps like a stepchild, even though we all know they were better than the Bullets/Wizards.
• Caps GMs, I forgive you for every draft in which the Caps' pick was surpassed by the player picked directly after him.
• GMGM specifically, I forgive you for ever allowing Matt Cooke to put on Caps' red.
• Caps marketing, I forgive you for moving away from red, white and blue jerseys for so long.
• Jason Doig, I forgive you staring at Martin St. Louis instead of defending him. You were, afterall, just Jason Doig.
• Jaromir Jagr, I forgive you for not really caring while you were in a Caps uniform.
• Mike Milbury, I forgive you for calling my team the 'Crapitals' on national TV even though we all know you'd love to have a job with the team.
• Varly, I forgive you for for changing you number after I invest in a #40 jersey. This guy, probably not so much...
• Fellow Caps Fans, I forgive you for contributing the largest number of jersey fouls in the world universe.
• Joffrey Lupul... no, I'll never forgive you.

So Caps Fans, what Caps Injustices can you forgive in exchange for a long playoff run?

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.  He is making $2.4 million this season as part of a 3-year, $6.2 million contract.  Should the Capitals elect to retain his services, Laich will be due a significant raise over his current salary. 

#21 Brooks Laich

Judging by his performance and by comparable players in the NHL, Brooks Laich's next contract is likely to be for $21 million over 5 years. 

Find out why Laich gets a big pay day!

Goaltenders are like wine. When they're young, there isn't really anything special about them. They're drafted on promise and moldability and, in some cases, athleticism. It takes time and careful handling to mold them into NHL puck stopping machines; refining their mechanics and exposing them to better and better competition. Eventually, if you're lucky, you get to pop the cork on a special netminding talent that backstops your team for an entire generation.

The Washington Capitals currently have three bottles of grape juice young goaltenders manning the crease for them this season. One could assume all three are too young to take a team to the promised land, but just how accurate is that statement? How much experience does a goaltender need before they're ready to take over the reins and be a successful NHL starter? Let's take a look.

More, after we stop some pucks.

About a month ago, we brought you the story of Tommy Frew, an incredible man embarking on an incredible journey to become the oldest rookie in the NHL.  While many people have rallied behind Tommy after reading the articles published on his story [Bourne's Blog, Welland Tribune], he recently put together a video showcasing his skills (below) – and the responses of those who’ve seen it have been nothing short of rave.  We had an opportunity to talk to Tommy about his comeback, his expectations, MLX skates, and even Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau.

Read the Interview!

On Monday, Capitals fan favorite Matt Bradley announced his support for a great local cause, Save the Arlington Planetarium.  Bradley said, “It’s important that we all do our part to save Arlington’s Planetarium. The Planetarium provides programming for thousands of students of all ages each year. Show kids how important science is, help the Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium by donating today.” 

Just 3 minutes from the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Friends of Arlington's Planetarium will be hosting a "Kids' Night at the Planetarium" after the Caps game on Sunday. It will be an evening full of astronomy and fun! Check out space shows, take part in hands-on science activities, and observe the sun and moon through telescopes. Learn more and Get Directions.

In early 2010, Arlington Public Schools announced that it planned to close Arlington's Planetarium after more than 40 years of providing educational experiences to hundreds of thousands of children and community members. In response to the proposed closure, a group of local citizens started a grassroots effort to save the planetarium. In April 2010, the group formed Friends of Arlington's Planetarium, and soon was asked to raise $402,800 by June 30, 2011, for upgrades to the facility.  The organization launched a social media campaign and began hosting community events at the planetarium, including benefit concerts and "Night at the Planetarium" events. To date, over 2,000 people, local businesses, corporations, and Matt Bradley have donated their time or money to keep the planetarium open, but it still has to raise over $112,000 and needs your help.

When the Washington Capitals wore their throwback uniforms in the Winter Classic on New Years’ Day, we were reminded of just how good they looked. The Caps wore that uniform from 1974 to 1995, with some small modifications along the way. We have to say, it looks just as good now as it did back then. We’re even wondering if the Caps should make it a part of their regular jersey ensemble.

Read More About the Caps' Uniforms!

After having a relatively stable roster for two years, the Caps have been moving pieces in and out since the summer of 2009.  In Jason Arnott, the Caps seem to have finally nailed down their replacement for Sergei Fedorov and have settled on 4 centers heading into the playoffs.  To get a sense of what an accomplishment that is, let's take a look at the centermen who followed Fedorov into Capital exile.

Read on!

[Ed. Note - Re-posted from 2/25]

These are tense times in our Nation's Capital. Looming just one week over the horizon, Congress is threatening to furlough Federal Government workers until a new budget can be ironed out. For many, the idea of missed paychecks and forced, unpaid vacations is a scary prospect, especially considering there is no timeline for resolution of the issues. This is no laughing matter.

So, for those Caps Fans that are also workers in the Federal Government, the idea of an unplanned week (or more) of vacation has opened up some otherwise unavailable options for great hockey activities.

• Go to Kettler. Every day. Until they think you work there. Then find Perreault and tell him McPhee wants to see him.
• Get a head start on a playoff beard without having to go through that annoying 'boss wonders openly why you forgot to shave' stage.
• Take a trip to Florida for the week and catch two Caps games in the Sunshine State. Marvel at how many Rochester Americans are now skating for the Panthers.
• Take a trip to New England and catch a couple Hershey Bears games. Or simply head to Hershey for a weekend doubleheader, drink a lot of Lagers and don't worry about being hungover tired on Monday.
• Take the kids skating during the day. Oh wait... they kids have school. Haha! Now they'll know how you feel when they're on summer vacation.
• If you actually play, drop in at a 6am pick-up hockey session. All the 'regulars' will definitely not look at you funny, not talk behind your back and will definitely pass you the puck.
• Marvel at how the Metro heading down for games is nearly empty.
• Then realize you can now head down at 2pm, avoid rush hour fares and 'Peak of the Peak' pricing and down a few at your pub of choice before heading over for the game.
• Peruse the Scarlet Caps website looking for spelling errors.
• Watch all the late games on NHL Center Ice, go to bed at 3am, then rewatch a game on the NHL Network when you get up at 1pm.
• Enjoy unmonitored parking at metered spots by the Verizon Center?