WASHINGTON — Red is running through the streets with Washington Capitals fans gearing up for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Caps are ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights with 3 games to 1 — one win away from claiming the Cup.
The Caps face the Golden Knights in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
If you’re watching in D.C., here’s what you need to know about the viewing parties, Metro and the weather.
Ticketed watch party at Capital One Arena
The lucky few who snagged tickets to the Game 5 viewing party at the Capital One Arena should arrive early. According to the NHL, not even a ticket can guarantee entry into the arena.
Seating is limited and at a first come, first served basis.
General admission doors at the F Street and Gallery Place entrances open at 3 p.m. for those with tickets to either the Mystics vs. Lynx game or the Game 5 viewing party. The Capital One VIP Cardholder entrance on 6th Street NW will open at 2:45 p.m.
The Mystics game kicks off at 4 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Those who scored tickets to the Mystics game are allowed to stay in the arena after the game for the Caps 5 viewing party and do not need a ticket to the Caps viewing party; Mystics tickets will not be valid for entry into the arena after the Mystics game’s end.
There will be no re-entry into the arena during the game or the viewing party.
Caps fans also have several other options to watch the game Thursday night.
Follow WTOP’s Washington Capitals Live Blog for live updates, photos and videos from the Washington Capitals’ 2018 run to the Stanley Cup.
Watch outside Capitol One Arena
Tickets for the Game 5 watch party at Capital One Arena were all claimed within minutes Wednesday, leaving many fans disappointed.
If you couldn’t get tickets, you can still catch the showdown on screens set up on the street outside Capital One Arena, from 8th and G streets NW at 8 p.m. Tickets are not needed for the outdoor viewing party.
Watch outside at The Bullpen
Go #ALLCAPS at The Bullpen near Nationals Park with pregame celebrations, including a free concert. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the venue is kid-friendly until 9 p.m. — then, it’s age 21 and up. Your furry friends, however, can stay all night.
There will be plenty of food and drink options; drinks are $5 all night. Check out The Bullpen’s Facebook event for more details.
Watch outside at The Wharf
The Wharf in Southwest D.C. is hosting a free viewing party on a large screen located at Maine Avenue and Pearl Street, according to its website. The event starts at 8 p.m., and fans can purchase food and beverages from the restaurants along Pearl Street.
Watch outside at the U.S. Navy Memorial
The Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue NW will have an outdoor viewing of Game 5 instead of the previously planned film screening for their “Movies on the Memorial” series.
The change in program was to “honor our neighbors, the Washington Capitals, and all of the fans who want to celebrate their quest for the Stanley Cup,” Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, president and CEO of the Navy Memorial, said in a news release Wednesday.
The memorial is Metro accessible; just hop off a Green or Yellow line train at the Archives station.
Watch outside at National Harbor
Catch Game 5 at the outdoor plaza screen at the National Harbor in Maryland. Fans can buy food and drinks at the surrounding restaurants and bars.
Other outdoor viewing parties around the D.C. area include Tysons Biergarten in Tysons, Virginia, and Rockville Town Square in Rockville, Maryland.
Transportation
If you’re hopping on Metro to get to any of these viewing parties or the many area bars that’ll have Game 5 on, you’re in luck: Metro will stay open late, the transit system announced Wednesday night.
Metro will now close at 12:30 a.m.; it usually closes at 11:30 p.m. Thursdays. Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the Capitals’ parent company, is paying for the extra hour of service.
The DC Circulator is offering free rides on all routes starting at 6 p.m. Thursday through the close of service, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday. Find more information here.
Drivers should note that road closures near the Capital One Arena are in full effect.
Weather
Thursday’s forecast looks promising for those planning to rock their red outside. Thursday’s skies are expected to be partly cloudy but mostly sunny during the day, according to Storm Team 4 meteorologist Sheena Parveen. Temperatures are expected to reach the low 80s.
THE STARS ARE COMING INTO ALLIGNMENT FOR A MAGICAL NIGHT IN WASHINGTON. IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT TO WATCH THE GAME TONIGHT THE WEATHER WILL BE NEAR PERFECT. WHY AM I YELLING? BECAUSE I’M #ALLCAPS TODAY AS THE.@CAPITALS QUEST FOR THE CUP COULD END TODAY! pic.twitter.com/y88hMZMmK5
— Chuck Bell (@ChuckBell4) June 7, 2018
Live stream
Live NBC Sports Washington pre-game from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Live postgame coverage runs for two hours after the game ends. Here’s the link. And get live game coverage via NBC Sports.
WTOP’s Jennifer Ortiz, Max Smith and Michelle Basch contributed to this report.
