NHL Winter Classic 2011: 10 Lessons We Learned from Capitals-Penguins

After the build up from the HBO 24/7 Series, and the game being postponed, the 2011 Winter Classic was anti climatic.

The rainy weather lead to terrible ice conditions and a slow paced game by both teams. Players continually struggled to move the puck and generate much rhythm.

Amid all the disappointment, there was a lot to be learned from this game. Here are the top ten lessons learned from the 2011 Winter Classic.

Mike Green Is a Defensive Liability For The Washington Capitals

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for the puck against Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mike Green got abused by Sidney Crosby in this contest. Green has always been known more for his offensive presence on the blue line, but he is going to need to hang with the NHL’s elite play makers if the Capitals are going to find postseason success.

Pittsburgh Was Not an Appropriate Site

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: A general view is seen as the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty

Heinz Field has had issues in the past with field conditions, which made it a curious site for a hockey rink. In addition, the Penguins had already played in a Winter Classic.

Another factor worth mentioning is how quickly will they be able to clean this up and make a respectable playing surface for the NFL playoffs? 

I understand the Ovechkin Crosby rivalry is a fan favorite, but Pittsburgh hosting this game was not a success.

The Penguin’s Power Play Is in Trouble

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Captain Sidney Crosby #87 and Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins look on during the singing of the national anthem before playing against the Washington Capitals in the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Fi

Since the Penguins have come off of their incredible winning streak the power play has gone missing. Pittsburgh had multiple chances in this game with a man advantage and was not able to capitalize. They need to right the ship in order for the Penguins to get back to their winning ways.

The Ovechkin Crosby Rivalry Is Overrated

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: A fan of the Washington Captials wears an 'Ovechkin' jersey while walking alongside a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins wearing a 'Crosby' jersey prior to the start of the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on Ja

NBC, HBO, and the NHL over played the Ovechkin Crosby rivalry to a drastic extent. The sports world wants this to be the next great rivalry in sports, but it has not materialized.

The 2011 Winter Classic was anti-climatic for a number of reasons including the weather, conditions, and the lack of energy on the ice.

The Penguins May Have Peaked Too Early

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice after being defeated 3-1 by the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have really cooled off after going on a tear early in the season. They did not play physically at all in this contest and could not generate much offense on Washington’s defense.

The weather and conditions played a role in the sloppy play, but the Penguins gave the Capitals a serious mental edge heading into the second half of the season.

Bad Ice Makes for Bad Hockey

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Members of the ice crew maintain the ice during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jam

This may seem like common sense, but the terrible ice conditions made for a sloppy, slow, and anti-climatic game. The NHL takes a significant risk every year by playing a game outside, and the risk seems to have back fired this season.

Despite the significant efforts to put together a respectable and safe ice surface, the Penguins and Capitals were forced to play in conditions more suitable for pond hockey. It was a shame because this game had a ton of potential.

NBC Struggles to Broadcast Hockey

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 17: The NBC Sunday Night Football logo is shown during the Washington Redskins game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on September 17, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 27-10. (Photo by Ronald Martinez

NBC is the worst in the business at broadcasting hockey. They used terrible camera angles, and continually masked the fact that the weather was atrocious.

NBC is so used to broadcasting football that they lay an egg every chance they get to showcase the NHL.

The NHL has been spoiled by great weather in past Winter Classics

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 01: Weather looms as the Buffalo Sabres get the puck out of their zone in the second period of the NHL Winter Classic against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Orchard Park, New York. T

It is no secret that the weather was a serious issue throughout the day. The bad conditions really slowed down the game and made the Winter Classic a little less special. Every year the Winter Classic is a tremendous spectacle, but the weather took away from the event this year.

Ovechkin Could Be Turning a Corner with His Play on a Big Stage

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates their 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ja

Although it had more to do with a lack of tenacity on Pittsburgh’s part, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals finally got the job done on a big stage. That being said, this was still a regular season game, and Ovechkin and the Capitals still have to prove themselves in the playoffs.

The Capitals Have Picked Up Important Momentum

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: The Washington Capitals celebrate their 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Image

After a well-documented losing streak, the Capitals have turned it around and seem to be picking up steam heading into the New Year. The Penguins came out completely flat in this game, and this may be the turning point in the race for the top of the Eastern Conference.