For three decades, Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have narrated Washington Capitals hockey for generations of fans. Now, Monumental Sports Network is planning a season-long celebration for “Joe B. and Locker” as the beloved broadcasters enter their 30th season together in the Capitals television booth.
MNMT announced Wednesday that it will honor Beninati and Laughlin throughout its coverage of the Caps’ 2026-27 season. Those tributes will come in special on-air and digital features, as well as an in-arena celebration at a Capitals game later in the year. The duo also got their own commemorative 30th-season logo.
“Thirty seasons is a milestone I don’t think either of us could have imagined when we first stepped into the booth together,” Beninati said in a release. “We’ve had the privilege of watching this franchise grow, calling some unforgettable moments and, most importantly, sharing it all with Capitals fans.”
Laughlin credited the pair’s friendship and the genuine fun they have on broadcasts together for helping make their partnership endure.
“Joe and I genuinely love what we do, and I think the fun we have together has always come through on the broadcast,” Laughlin said. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner or friend to share the booth with.”
Beninati and Laughlin first teamed up full-time on October 5, 1996, and are now the NHL’s longest-tenured active television broadcast duo. They have called more than 2,000 Capitals games together, spanning Washington’s run to its first Stanley Cup Final in 1998, its Stanley Cup championship two decades later in 2018, and Alex Ovechkin’s chase and eventual breaking of the NHL’s all-time goals record.
And if 30 seasons somehow doesn’t sound long enough, Monumental provided some numbers to put their tenure in perspective.
Since Beninati and Laughlin began working together, 366 different players have suited up for the Capitals. Washington has scored 6,808 goals and won 1,189 games during that span — the fourth-highest totals in the NHL. Perhaps even more ridiculous: Just eight players on the Capitals’ current roster were already alive when Joe B. and Locker called their first game together in October 1996.
The milestone comes after the two received another major broadcasting honor this summer. Beninati and Laughlin were named 2026 Silver Circle Honorees by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, recognizing television professionals who have made significant contributions to the industry over at least 25 years. The honor is essentially the local Emmy chapter’s Hall of Fame.
“For 30 seasons, Joe and Locker have narrated the story of this franchise while creating a connection with fans spanning generations,” Zach Leonsis said. “Their authenticity, friendship and passion for the Capitals and this community are what make them so special.”
Fans will have plenty of opportunities to hear them during their anniversary season — beyond the tributes that will include the duo’s most memorable calls and reflections from Capitals fans, players, alumni, and colleagues. Monumental Sports Network will air 70 of the Capitals’ 84 regular-season games locally along with four preseason games. Its preseason coverage begins on September 20 when Washington hosts the Boston Bruins at 5 pm, while its regular-season slate starts October 2 when the Capitals open their season on the road against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes at 7 pm.
The NHL previously announced last week that Washington will appear in 17 nationally televised games during the 2026-27 season. Two of those games will also air locally on MNMT, while another national broadcast will be blacked out in the Washington market.
- Tuesday, Dec. 15 – Washington @ Dallas (MNMT)
- Monday, Jan. 18 – Washington @ Pittsburgh (MNMT, TNT)
- Wednesday, Mar. 24 – Washington @ Detroit (MNMT, TNT)
So, 30 years after they first sat down together in the booth, Capitals fans will get another season of Joe B. and Locker — only this time, the broadcasters themselves will be part of the celebration. Something they so very much deserve.
Here’s the full press release from Monumental Sports Network:
30 Years of ‘Joe B. and Locker’: Monumental Sports Network Celebrates Capitals Broadcast Duo’s Milestone Season, Announces 2026-27 Capitals Local Broadcast Schedule
Season-long celebration will honor the NHL’s longest-tenured active broadcast duo throughout MNMT’s 2026-27 Capitals coverage
MNMT to broadcast 70 regular season and four preseason games, with a special celebration event planned for Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin at upcoming Capitals game
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2, 2026) – Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) today announced plans to celebrate the 30th season of beloved Washington Capitals broadcasters Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin, the NHL’s longest-tenured active television broadcast duo. The milestone celebration comes as the network unveils its coverage plans for the highly anticipated 2026-27 Capitals season.
The plans were announced live during a special broadcast of “The Sports Junkies” from MNMT’s Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studios, bringing together the set of enduring Washington sports personalities celebrating 30 years on the air.
“Thirty seasons is a milestone I don’t think either of us could have imagined when we first stepped into the booth together,” said Beninati. “We’ve had the privilege of watching this franchise grow, calling some unforgettable moments and, most importantly, sharing it all with Capitals fans. To have spent three decades doing something I love alongside one of my closest friends is incredibly special, and I’m grateful to everyone who has welcomed us into their homes year after year.”
“What makes 30 seasons so special is everything we’ve experienced together,” said Laughlin. “The great teams, incredible players, unforgettable moments and generations of Capitals fans who have been along for the ride. Joe and I genuinely love what we do, and I think the fun we have together has always come through on the broadcast. I couldn’t ask for a better partner or friend to share the booth with, and I can’t wait to celebrate this season and more to come with Caps fans across the region.”
Throughout the upcoming season, MNMT will celebrate Beninati and Laughlin through special on-air, digital and in-arena content and activations, including a commemorative 30th season logo honoring the duo. The celebration will revisit iconic calls and memorable moments and share reflections from fans, players, alumni and colleagues. The season-long festivities will include a special event during an upcoming Capitals game at Capital One Arena later this season giving fans an opportunity to join in honoring Beninati and Laughlin’s three decades together and their contributions to Capitals hockey and Washington sports. Additional details and timing will be announced at a later date.
Beninati and Laughlin first joined forces on a full-time basis in the Capitals broadcast booth on October 5, 1996 and have since called more than 2,000 games together. Over three decades, “Joe B.” and “Locker” have chronicled some of the most memorable moments in franchise history — from the Capitals’ 1998 run to their first Stanley Cup Final and the 2017-18 Stanley Cup championship season to Alex Ovechkin’s historic pursuit and capture of the NHL’s all-time goals record. Last month, Beninati and Laughlin were also named 2026 Silver Circle Honorees by The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Joe B. And Locker’s 30 Years By The Numbers:
- 30 seasons together in the Capitals broadcast booth
- 2,000+ games called together across three decades of Capitals hockey
- 366 different Capitals players under Beninati and Laughlin’s call since 1996
- 1,189 Capitals wins called by the pair since the beginning of 1996 (4th most in the NHL)
- 6,808 Capitals goals scored (4th most in the NHL) during the duo’s tenure together
- 8 players on the current Capitals roster that were born before Beninati and Laughlin began their run in October 1996
- 1 Stanley Cup championship
- 2 Stanley Cup appearances (1998, 2018)
- 1 NHL all-time record goals record, chronicling Alex Ovechkin’s historic pursuit and record-breaking goal
- Countless memorable calls that have helped define three decades of Capitals hockey for fans across the region
“For 30 seasons, Joe and Locker have narrated the story of this franchise while creating a connection with fans spanning generations,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media and New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). “Their authenticity, friendship, and passion for the Capitals and this community are what make them so special. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone alongside the fans who have welcomed them into their homes for three decades”
The milestone season will unfold across MNMT’s coverage of 70 regular season and four preseason Capitals games, beginning Sunday, September 20, when Washington faces the Boston Bruins in preseason action at 5:00 PM ET. MNMT’s first regular season broadcast is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, when the Capitals take on the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 PM ET in their season opener.
All preseason and regular season Capitals games will be televised locally on MNMT, with the exception of exclusive nationally broadcast games. Last week, the NHL announced that the Capitals will have 17 nationally televised games during the upcoming season – two of which will also be broadcasted on MNMT in the D.C. area and one where the national broadcast will be blacked out locally:
- Tuesday, Dec. 15 – Washington @ Dallas (MNMT)
- Monday, Jan. 18 – Washington @ Pittsburgh (MNMT, TNT)
- Wednesday, Mar. 24 – Washington @ Detroit (MNMT, TNT)
Beninati and Laughlin will again lead MNMT’s Capitals broadcast booth for their 30th season, joined by longtime rinkside reporter Al Koken. MNMT will also surround games with Capitals Pregame Live and Capitals Postgame Live broadcasted from MNMT’s state-of-the-art Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studios. The shows will feature host Alexa Landestoy and analyst Alan May, along with a rotating group of Capitals alumni and contributors including Brent Johnson, Devante Smith-Pelly, Karl Alzner, Tarik El-Bashir and T.J. Oshie.
Beyond live games, MNMT’s 2026-27 Capitals coverage will include comprehensive gameday programs, original programming featuring Capitals players, coaches and staff, as well as robust multiplatform content covering top storylines throughout the season. Fans can expect a plethora of in-depth coverage and docuseries content of the team’s season, and robust Capitals content via MNMT’s original programming, including Hometown with Rachel Nichols, Caps Red Line, Caps Rink Report and Hockey Lifers.
MNMT is available to fans through a variety of platforms, including traditional cable and satellite TV providers such as Fios, Xfinity and DIRECTV, streaming platforms and direct-to-consumer offerings. Capitals fans can tune in using their TV provider or TV Everywhere log-in, on monumentalplus.com, or by accessing the award-winning Monumental+ app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Vizio, X1 and Xfinity Xumo, and by signing up for a Monumental+ subscription.
The Capitals Radio Network will provide live coverage of every game this season. 106.7 The Fan, one of the region’s strongest radio signals, will again serve as the flagship station, with WFED 1500 AM continuing as the AM home of the Capitals Radio Network. The network includes 14 stations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.
Play-by-play announcer John Walton will return for his 16th season calling the action, while former Capital Ken Sabourin enters his 24th season as analyst. Capitals Radio Network coverage will include 15 minutes of pregame and 30 minutes of postgame coverage, highlighted by player interviews and live audio of head coach Spencer Carbery’s postgame press conference. The Capitals Radio Network podcast channel is the official audio channel of the Capitals, featuring numerous Capitals podcasts, news updates, analysis and player interviews. All audio content from the Capitals Radio Network can be accessed free of charge anywhere online at washcaps.com/radio or through the Capitals Mobile App.
