Winter Classic 2015: Players to Watch in Blackhawks vs. Capitals

The NHL Winter Classic is one of the coolest events in sports, but let's be honest: Unless you are a hardcore NHL fan, you probably start watching hockey sometime around this point in the year with college football winding to a close and the NFL entering the playoffs. 

Hey, we're a football nation.

But the Winter Classic this year should be a fun one, as the Washington Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks. You might not be terribly familiar with either team, however, which is where this article comes in. Who should you be most excited to watch?

The Blackhawks are third in the NHL in goals per game (3.0) and first in goals allowed per contest (2.1), so you're pretty much going to enjoy watching the entire team play. But a few stars for both teams stand above the rest. 

Let's break them down.

Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

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Patrick Kane is a scoring dynamo. The electrifying winger has 18 goals (fifth in the NHL), 22 assists and 40 points scored (sixth in the NHL) this season. He has seven points in his last four games and is now just two goals shy of scoring 20 goals in a season for the eighth straight year. 

There's also this, per Dan Cohen of WREX 13:

Kane is a handful to deal with on the right wing, as he's so adept at rushing around defenders or by them and flicking one of the NHL's best backhanded shots past an overwhelmed goalie. He's poetry in motion on the ice, and he sparks Chicago's excellent offense.

If there is a highlight-reel moment in the Winter Classic, there's a pretty good chance Kane will provide it.

Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals 

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Of course, this guy is always good for a few highlights himself.

While he's never quite lived up to the billing that often left people asking whether he or Sidney Crosby was the better player—we can all agree it's Crosby when he's healthy, right?—Ovechkin is still having a solid season, with 17 goals and 13 assists this year.

And given that he scored 51 goals a season ago—the fifth time he's reached the 50-goal mark, though the first time since the 2009-10 season—you know he's always capable of putting on a show, even in the great outdoors.

He's certainly excited for that challenge, per ESPN NHL on Twitter:

"

.@ovi8 says you feel the energy when you step on the ice outside @washcaps #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/lGAePJIbLI

— ESPN NHL coverage (@ESPN_NHL) December 30, 2014"

We're all pretty excited, too, Ovi.

Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Bill Smith/Getty Images

Jonathan Toews is one of the most complete, well-rounded players in the NHL. His 13 goals and 18 assists are bolstered by the fact that he's a solid plus-11 on the season. 

Toews does a little bit of everything for Chicago. He scores goals and sets the table. He also isn't afraid to get physical if he needs to crash the boards. He's a smart, cerebral player who makes everyone around him better. He's a leader. 

When good things are happening in Chicago, Toews has a habit of being in the middle of them. No, he isn't as flashy as players like Kane or Ovechkin, but if you take a moment to observe Toews' savvy style of play, you won't be disappointed.