Today at 1 p.m. ET, the Chicago Blackhawks (25-10-2, 52 points) and Washington Capitals (18-11-7, 43 points) face-off as the NHL continues its New Year's Day tradition with the 2015 Winter Classic live from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The game can be live streamed for free here. Chicago fans can hear all of the action on WGN 720 while Washington fans can do the same on WFED 1500.
Chicago has won two straight games and sits in first place in the Central Division while Washington has dropped two of its last three games and holds the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Capitals defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 the first time these two teams met on Nov. 7. This game may be delayed due to sun glare on the ice.
The Blackhawks are coming off of a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday and will play in their second Winter Classic after falling 6-4 to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2009 edition of the game at Wrigley Field.
"It's exciting," Chicago right wing Patrick Kane said via NHL.com. "You see this game on the schedule, it's definitely one of the first games circled, especially at this time of year. It's kind of almost the midway point of the season and it's something you can look forward to, especially when you get out there. It almost feels like a playoff atmosphere with it obviously being the Winter Classic and being outside. There's a lot of media and it's such a big event. We enjoy it."
Kane leads the Blackhawks with 40 points off of 18 goals and 22 assists while Jonathan Toews has 13 markers and 18 helpers for 31 points and Kris Versteeg has lit the lamp nine times and added 18 assists for 27 points.
The Capitals are coming in off of a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Monday and play in their second Winter Classic after topping the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 at Heinz Field in 2011.
"It's going to be a fun time," Alex Ovechkin told NHL.com. "I'm pretty sure everybody is going to be excited, especially when it's going to be loud and the fans are going to be out there. Right now, it's all about fun ... families, kids, wives, girlfriends, so it's always good."
Ovechkin has a team-high 17 goals and has added 13 assists to rank second on the Capitals with 30 points. Nicklas Backstrom paces the team with 38 points off of 12 markers and 26 helpers while John Carlson has found the twine four times and added 23 assists for 27 points.
In net, Washington is slated to turn to Braden Holtby and he is 16-8-6 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
Chicago will counter with Corey Crawford in the crease and he is 14-6-2 and ranks fifth with a 2.08 GAA and has added a .921 save percentage.
The Blackhawks and Capitals take their rivalry outside when these teams ring in the New Year with the seventh annual Winter Classic live from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
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