Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, each a National Hockey League playoff Most Valuable Player, lead the Chicago Blackhawks into Washington for Thursday’s annual New Year’s Day outdoor Winter Classic contest.
Sunny and chilly conditions are forecast for the NHL’s 14th regular-season stadium contest at the home ballpark of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals.
The Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2010 and 2013 behind their star duo’s award-winning efforts, top the NHL this season with 25 wins behind an attack that ranks third in scoring thanks to 18 goals from right wing Kane and 13 by center Toews.
“We know it can be a special year if we put everything together and we find a way to improve every single day,” Toews said.
And the Capitals could face them without star defenseman Brooks Orpik, who suffered a right knee injury in a Monday loss to the New York Islanders. His status will be a game-time decision.
“It would be kind of disappointing to miss this one, but that’s kind of up in the air right now,” Orpik said Tuesday.
Chicago lost 6-4 to visiting Detroit in their 2009 outdoor debut at baseball’s Wrigley Field but routed visiting Pittsburgh 5-1 last March at NFL venue Soldier Field.
“The fact we get to play in a third is going to be pretty special,” Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp said. “It’s going to be two points in the schedule but the experience means so much more to us. We’re very proud to be in the game.”
The Blackhawks, who lost in over-time to eventual champion Los Angeles in the seventh game of last season’s playoff semi-finals, also boast the lowest goals against per game average in the league.
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford, who turns 30 on New Year’s Eve, has 14 wins in 22 starts with a 2.08 goals-against average and a 92.1 save percentage.
“He’s rock solid pretty much every time he’s in there,” Kane said. “He’s a very confident goalie and we have all the confidence in the world in him.”
– Ovechkin sparks Capitals –
Russian star Alex Ovechkin, who leads the Capitals with 17 goals, and Swedish standout Nicklas Backstrom, who has 12, pace Washington’s attack.
Ovechkin is a four-time NHL goal scoring champion, including a career-best 65 in 2007-08 and a league-high 51 last season. The winger is also a three-time NHL Most Valuable Player.
The Capitals, who won their only prior outdoor game 3-1 at Pittsburgh in 2011, are hosting for the first time. With 18 wins and 43 points in 36 games, they rank seventh in the Eastern Conference.
“We’ve all been excited for the Classic,” said Capitals right wing Jay Beagle.
“It’s pretty special. It’s unlike any other game. It’s good to have the experience of already being a part of one and I’m sure a lot of us will feed off that. It’s pretty cool. It’s something you never forget.”
Capitals coach Barry Trotz said even with the importance of the outdoor game, he will not play Orpik if he is not ready,
“Too important of a player with us to risk,” Trotz said. “If we’re not 100 percent sure, it’s not going to happen.”