DC council member proposes idea of holding Capitals viewing party outside Capital One Arena

WASHINGTON - D.C. Councilmember and Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans is proposing a plan to host viewing parties outside of Capital One Arena as the Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Evans said he is hoping to close off either 6th Street or 7th Street so Capitals and D.C. area sports fans can watch the games on the large projection screens outside of the arena.

"Wouldn't that be great if we had 10,000 people sitting on the library steps, the museum steps across from [Capital One Arena] watching the game and people who can't necessarily afford to go into the arena and pay could be outside watching it," he said.

Evans said he still has to talk with the mayor and other transportation officials about the idea.

The Capitals are hosting a viewing party for Game 1 at Gateway Park in Rosslyn, Virginia starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Fans will be able to watch the game on a 40-foot projection screen and the team's mascot Slapshot and the Capitals' Red Rockers will be in attendance.

It has been 20 years since the Capitals have made it this far in the playoffs as Washington is in the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1998. Game 1 is Friday night in Tampa.