Washington Capitals fans can breathe a little easier. Local play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati will get to call Alex Ovechkin’s record-breaking 895th goal, even if the score occurs on a national broadcast, the team announced Tuesday.
Four of the Capitals’ 18 remaining regular-season games are slated for national broadcasts. Long-time fans have been concerned that Ovechkin could break Wayne Gretzky’s record in one of those games, robbing local broadcasters of a shot at history.
An agreement with the NHL will let the local commentators record archived play-by-play calls of the nationally televised games. If Ovechkin breaks the record in one of those matchups, the Capitals would release Beninati’s call of the goal on social media.
Monumental Sports Network would then air the full game with the local call 24 hours later.
“Having the chance to call this exceptional moment in hockey history is a profound honor for me and our entire live game crew,” Beninati said. “We have had the pleasure of describing and documenting almost all of Alex’s goals throughout his career, and capturing his pursuit of the all-time goal-scoring record is a privilege few get to experience.”
Ovechkin is nine goals away from breaking Gretzky’s mark. The Capitals return to the ice Tuesday night in California against the Anaheim Ducks.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.