Photo: @EASportsNHL

On September 9th, EA Sports will release the latest edition of their hockey franchise, NHL15. With the game jumping up to the more-powerful Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles this year, video game designers at Electronic Arts could finally push some parts of the franchise that have been lagging for a long time.

For Washington Capitals fans, that means an impeccably designed Verizon Center, the Rock The Red logo literally everywhere, and a few pesky Penguins fans invading the arena during rivalry games.

But first, let’s see how realistic their model of Verizon Center really is.

Photo: Chris Gordon

Wow. The only things I can notice off, and I’m nitpicking here, are:

• The main scoreboard design that tells you the score is actually from a few years ago.
• The Rock The Red video animations are old.
• The white banners, which in real life are dedicated to the Wizards, are now Southeast Division Champion banners.
• The font used on the Capitals’ retired numbers banners are off.

Did I mention I was nit-picking?

Also, the virtual crowd has been completely re-invented, which frankly was in desperate need of an overhaul. For example, take a look at this Alex Ovechkin goal.

He takes the puck to the net and…

He scores! Look how excited that fan with the sign is.

Oh man, even the hugs are more realistic in this game.

NHL15 Producer Sam Ramjagsingh introduces more of the updates in the video below.

There’s beer guys in the stands now? If only I could have Alex Ovechkin Hercules-check Sidney Crosby into the crowd and take out that guy and the invading Penguins fans, then the game would be perfect.