The opening games of the playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals have been marked by more than just on-ice drama. Off the ice, a series of questionable decisions by the Capitals organization has drawn criticism and raised eyebrows across the hockey world.

From odd smells and disruptive renovations near the visiting locker room to the surprising treatment of TVA Sports’ broadcast team, it seems that the Canadiens and their media partners have faced a series of unwelcome challenges in Washington.

The most glaring example came when TVA Sports analysts found themselves squeezed into an awkward, poorly located corner of the arena—far from the professional setup typically expected for an official NHL broadcaster. As images of the cramped workspace spread, many are left wondering whether this was a simple oversight or something more deliberate, adding another layer of controversy to an already heated playoff battle.

Photo credit: NHL

There are several small decisions made by the Washington Capitals organization that seem to be truly bothersome during this series against the Montreal Canadiens.

We can think of the strong smell and the renovations near the Canadiens’ locker room, we can think of all kinds of little things, and we can also think of how the TVA Sports team was received.

While a suite or a decent spot was requested, as usual, to allow the broadcast team to properly do their job..

Take a look instead at where TVA Sports hosts, experts, and analysts were placed to do their work during this first-round series in Washington.

You can’t really say that the Washington Capitals found the best spot for the TVA Sports team, as Anthony Marcotte points out

They were literally placed in a corner (clearly not suited for television) right in the middle of the crowd.

While the Washington Capitals’ own broadcast team will likely receive royal and exceptional treatment at the Bell Centre, this is where TVA Sports experts were placed.

It’s embarrassing, coming from the Capitals organization (at least in my humble opinion).

“A nook is good enough for the Frenchies, huh?”
– Anthony Marcotte, BPM Sports

The people at TVA Sports did a great job of making sure it didn’t look too bad on TV, and the final product was absolutely acceptable, but it doesn’t change the fact that they could have been given a better spot.

It would’ve been the bare minimum, especially for an official broadcaster of the National Hockey League.

I dare hope Gary Bettman wouldn’t be too proud to see this.