Capitals host Blackhawks in NHL Winter Classic
The NHL Winter Classic takes to the ice on January 1 when the Washington Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at 1:00 p.m.
Chicago on the season is 25-10-1-1 SU and 14-23 ATS. The Blackhawks at home are 13-4-1 with the over/under 11-19.
Washington on the season is 18-11-4-3 SU and 15-21 ATS. The Capitals on the road are 11-6-2-1 with the over/under 17-18.
The Winter Classic is not just any NHL game, it is played outdoors which means weather could be a fact.
On Monday, the Blackhawks trailed Nashville, their Western Conference rivals 3-0 during the second period. However, Chicago reeled off three goals in a span of 7:10 to tie.
Nashville took the lead again but in the last few minutes of regulation, the Blackhawks were able to tie the game and in the shootout that followed Jonathan Toews scored for Chicago for the win.
Chicago will need its tough defense to keep the Capitals from scoring. The Blackhawks have the best goals against average in the league at 2.08.
Corey Crawford the Chicago netminder has played solid this season ranking No. 12 with his 2.08 GAA. In November, Crawford gave up three goals in a loss 3-2 against the Capitals November 7.
Chicago is not one-dimensional, as its offense is one of the best in the league. Patrick Kane has scored 11 points in his last five games and this season has 39 points.
Patrick Sharp just registered assist No. 500 in just 700 games. Toews has scored 12 points in December for the Blackhawks.
The three are a formidable attack for Chicago, which is averaging 3.03 goals a game that is No. 3 in the NHL.
Over its past 10 games played, Chicago is 7-3.
The Capitals lost Monday against the New York Islanders in overtime 4-3. It was the second loss in three games for Washington.
The Capitals did rally from a 3-0 deficit to tie, but eventually went down in OT.
Alex Ovechkin has been tough to stop. He has had five shots or more on goal in each of the last 10 games.
If Chicago focuses too much on Ovechkin, it could free up Nicklas Backstrom for a goal. In 36 games played this season, Backstrom has scored 12 goals.
Marcus Johansson a left winger for Washington has 21 points this season, two of which were scored the last time the two teams played in early November.
Washington might start Braden Holtby in net again when they face off Thursday at Nationals Park. The goaltender allowed a pair of goals in the first games between the two teams in which Washington won 3-2.
The Capitals have been victorious in the past three home games versus Chicago.
