Capitals, Golden Knights both unwind with Mario Kart 64

Although there's a stark contrast in the roster composition between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals, both teams share a passion off the ice.

In a profile written by Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post, it was revealed that the Capitals and Golden Knights share an affinity for the Nintendo 64 classic video game "Mario Kart 64."

"You can't practice all day, every day," Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "You've gotta find something to do with your downtime. It's funny, too, because I'm not a gamer at all, but I can't get enough of that."

Capitals forward Jay Beagle said the game provides some levity during the most important stretch of his and his teammates' careers.

"We do keep it loose, but at the right times, too," he said. "We're also focused and dialed in, and keeping it loose, it allows you to have fun with it and realize this is a game and this is an opportunity that you only get once in a lifetime."

Nate Schmidt is credited with purchasing the Nintendo 64 console and the game for the Capitals during last year's playoffs, and started a similar tradition with his Vegas teammates this postseason.

"I thought I would leave it (the original console with the Capitals) so hopefully it would bring them to a place that's here (the Cup Final), I guess," Schmidt said.

Mario Kart emphasizes speed, skill, and cunning tactics, so it's only fitting that both Cup finalists would be so enthralled with the game during their spare time.

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