The Capitals center joined the "NHL @TheRink" podcast Wednesday and discussed his level of excitement about the chance to play in the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series against the Carolina Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ABC, SN360, TVAS2, SN NOW).
"I think it's as memorable for the fans as it is for us players," Eller said during the interview with co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke. "I know down there in Carolina they're probably going to be tailgating all day like I remember when we played in them in the playoffs in the spring of 2019. It was the same kind of atmosphere, the bus rolls in there three hours before and they're already camping outside.
"The last couple years, it's been a really good atmosphere every time you play down there. It really changed compared to what it was six, seven, eight years ago, I think. I hope it's going to be the same when we go outdoors and play."
Eller said the Capitals have been getting ready for the outdoor game by practicing with their new gear on for several weeks. He discussed remembering his three previous outdoor games, the 2011 Heritage Classic in Calgary and the 2016 Winter Classic in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with the Montreal Canadiens, and the 2018 Stadium Series at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with the Capitals.
"It's memorable events certainly, and this one is going to be a divisional rival," Eller said. "It's going to be certainly a crucial game for us. There is a lot on the line, as it should be."
Considering that, Eller said Washington better bring a sense of desperation to the game too.
The Capitals are in position to be the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, but it's a precarious position since they're one point ahead of the New York Islanders and two in front of the Florida Panthers, who they play Thursday.
Washington is one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have three games in hand.
"There should be a real sense of urgency in our game," Eller said. "Looking at the standings, I think it's going to be tight right down to the line and you just don't want to be in that position to where you need to catch up to get by teams. You want to have that urgency in your game now playing like it is a playoff game. We should have a desperate mindset."
In addition to chatting with Eller about all things Stadium Series and Capitals, Rosen and Roarke also gave some insight into the Stadium Series game, which will be the first outdoor game for the Hurricanes.
They also discussed Vladimir Tarasenko's instant impact on the New York Rangers, moves that could be made in advance of 2023 NHL Trade Deadline on March 3, and gave some reasons why they understand but don't like why some teams in a selling mode are sitting out players that could be moved, among them the Arizona Coyotes with defenseman Jakob Chychrun and the Columbus Blue Jackets with defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
Rosen and Roarke disagreed on how the Toronto Maple Leafs should approach the deadline but agreed on reasons why the Nashville Predators could be dangerous if they are able to find a way to get into the playoffs.
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