Winter Classic: Top 15 Holiday Games on the 2010-11 NHL Calendar
In an epic showdown between two of the NHL's biggest stars, this year's Winter Classic will pit Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hosted in the Steelers' Heinz Field, this will be the first Winter Classic which features a southern-based team. The Caps are expected to wear retro jerseys that can be traced back to the team's inception in 1974.
The Penguins will retire their baby blue jerseys, worn in their first Winter Classic, in favor of a new design.
The Winter Classic will take place on New Year's Day.
The Winter Classic is not the only big-ticket game on the schedule, however. The following are 10 other games you cannot miss in the 2010 season.
Halloween: Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks
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After years of competing in division and postseason play the Sharks and Ducks have developed a bona fide rivalry. On the day before Halloween the two California teams will face off what should be an intense, physical game.
After losing longtime netminder Evgeni Nabokov, the Sharks went out and got Antero Nittymaki and Antti Niemi to shore up their goaltending.
The Ducks are still looking to lock up young phenom Bobby Ryan, the cornerstone of their youth movement.
Halloween: Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings
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Although their rivalry is lesser known in the NHL community, bad blood is developing between the hard-hitting Predators and the legendary Red Wings.
After losing Dan Hamhuis in the offseason, the cash-strapped Predators will look to young players like Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist to defeat the aging Red Wings.
All Saints' Day: Chicago Blackhawks at New York Rangers
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In a showdown of two storied Original Six franchises, the defending-champion Blackhawks travel to New York to take on the Rangers.
The Blackhawks have become the team to beat in the West, where the Rangers have gotten tangled in a salary cap-induced mess and look to get back into the playoffs this year.
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Veterans Day: Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins
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In a another Original Six matchup, the Bruins and Canadiens, who both went on miracle runs in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, face off in Boston.
The Bruins are looking to build off their momentum last year by adding top pick Tyler Seguin and dealing for the promising Nathan Horton.
After letting playoff hero Jaroslav Halak walk in the offseason, the Habs turn to Carey Price to backstop one of the NHL's most historic franchises.
Veterans Day: Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals
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The Capitals have become a force in the East over the last few years and the new-look Lightning are expected to return to form next year with the addition of longtime Flyer, Simon Gagne.
Many NHL fans around the country should tune in to see two of the NHL's best players, Alexander Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos, face off in Washington on Veteran's Day.
Thanksgiving: Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers
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Two Northwest Division rivals square off on Thanksgiving this year.
Initially, this does not look like an intriguing matchup. Edmonton not been competitive lately and the young Avalanche are a major question mark coming into the season.
Edmonton is rebuilding in a major way, but if the historically-significant Oilers are able to stay healthy they could surprise a few teams in the West.
If the Avalanche come out of the gates strong and build off the momentum that they had last year, they could contend for a division title. However, if the team stumbles, their youth may show and they could get lost in the mix in the tough Northwest Division.
Chanukah: vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
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Two additional Northwest Division rivals will meet on Chanukah.
The Canucks are a legitimate contender in the West after coming up short against the Blackhawks last year.
On the other hand, Calgary is going for one last push by adding two former Flames in Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen.
New Year's Eve: Atlanta Thrashers at New Jersey Devils
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Surrounded by contract drama in the offseason, Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils invite the Russian's former employer, the Atlanta Thrashers, for a New Year's Eve showdown in Jersey.
The Devils have been busy in the offseason, acquiring Anton Volchenkov, Jason Arnott, and Henrik Tallinder in a push to avenge their early exit last year.
Atlanta is in survival mode, desperately needing production from their young core and the addition of many former Blackhawks, most notably Dustin Byfuglien, in the offseason.
Martin Luther King Day: Los Angeles Kings at Dallas Stars
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The Pacific Division has gotten increasingly strong over the last few years.
Los Angeles went under a major rebuilding project since the lockout and has created a perennial contender that is ready to challenge the Sharks for the Pacific crown.
While Anaheim rebuilds and Phoenix wallows in off-ice ownership issues, the Stars have enough talented youth to make a playoff push this year.
The Kings and Stars should put on a show on Martin Luther King Day.
Groundhog Day: New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins
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While the Islanders may be a few years from becoming a consistent contender, the emergence of young star John Tavares, along with teammates Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson, have made the Isles a team worth watching.
Tavares, heralded by many as a franchise player and NHL superstar, will have to prove that he belongs in the same sentence as Sidney Crosby when he faces the kid in the new Consol Energy Center.
Chinese New Year: Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs
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Both the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs are young teams that may surprise many people in the NHL community and emerge as postseason teams in the Eastern Conference.
With many pieces from their playoff run in 2009 and a few new faces like Jamie McBain, Justin Peters, Riley Nash, and Brandon Sutter looking to prove themselves, the 'Canes should not go overlooked after one poor season.
The Maple Leafs, backed by their loyal fans, should make a playoff push this year backed by superstars Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf and young talents like Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and Luke Schenn.
Valentine's Day: Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche
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Valentine's Day is a celebration of affection, but there will be no love lost between these two Northwest Division teams—especially if they are close in the standings as the year winds down.
Presidents' Day: Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins
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Sid the Kid and Ovie faceoff in a rematch of the Winter Classic.
This late in the season, this is a statement game for the Caps and Pens both considered playoff teams who could meet for another epic showdown like the one they had in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Mardi Gras: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
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Anton Volchenkov and the Devils invite the supersized defenseman's former team in a matchup between the high-flying, offensively-supercharged Senators—who replaced Volchenkov with longtime Penguin Sergei Gonchar in the offseason—and the defense-first Devils.
Both teams were bounced in the first round of the playoffs last year. Time will tell if either team is ready to avenge their loss next year.
St. Patrick's Day: St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings
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After a fallout with the natives following the lockout, the Blues join the Kings in a list of franchises that has gone to great lengths to rejuvenate their team's culture.
Backed by a young core of David Backes, Erik Johnson, Brad Boyes, T.J. Oshie, David Perron, and playoff hero Jaroslav Halak, the St. Louis Blues are ready to return to form the dynasty they once were.
The Kings have become relevant in LA and should provide an unwelcoming venue for the young Blues in a battle of two historic franchises.
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