Capitals vs. Penguins: 8 Great Facts and Opinions From the Winter Classic

The 2011 NHL Winter Classic was a great hockey game played in very poor weather conditions. Even though it was just a regular season hokey game, one gets the feeling the event meant just a little bit more to both teams than the two points that were awarded to the Capitals for winning the game.

The action was nonstop and end to end for all three periods as both teams played with the physicality of a playoff game.

The Capitals continued their recent regular season domination of the Penguins. The Capitals are now 8-0-2 in their last ten games versus their most heated rival.

With all due respect to Pens fans this win was needed by a franchise that always seems to lose the games that matter to Pittsburgh. Make no mistake about this game, it mattered and to both teams.

Following last night's win Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau said "For us it was a month long buildup, where it didn't start up pretty good but this was like as close to the Stanley Cup that we've gotten," Boudreau continued, "We're not denying that it was more than just two points. It was a fabulous game. We came in wanting to win this thing, and we got lucky and did."

The Penguins with three franchise Stanley Cups and a win in the inaugural Winter Classic game in Buffalo against the Sabres noticed that the Capitals may have over stated their win just a little.

The Penguins Evegeni Malkin certainly noticed that the Capitals celebrated a little extra on the Pens home ice. "Yeah I noticed," Malkin said of the celebration, "because it's just one game of course you want to celebrate when you win, but this is not final. We still play two more times."

The two teams did not shake hands following last night's game and next meet on Super Bowl Sunday in Washington, a game once again nationally televised on NBC.

Here are eight (in honor of the winning captain) facts and of course eight opinions to match. Hope you enjoyed the Classic as much I did, Happy New Year.

NBC's Coverage Left a Little To Be Desired

Fact: There were 76 cameras covering the 2011 Winter Classic and five networks involved. Thirty seven Commercial spots were purchased by NHL sponsors on NBC’s broadcast, up from 28 last year. NBC sold out the advertising well in advance of this year’s event with a 20 percent increase in revenue.

Opinion: With all of that said, NBC blew it. They missed half of the goals with bad camera angles and for whatever reason no microphone or a working microphone was not placed on referee Paul Devorski.

Devorski waived off two goals and let both teams play in the crease all night. It would have been nice to hear his explanation of why certain pucks were not blown dead, especially on the Caps first goal. Washington used everything but a real pitch-fork in poking the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury to tie the game.

On my live blog telecast of last night’s game on the Bleacher Report one out every three comments had to do with the poor coverage by NBC.

The overhead cameras were used at the wrong times and with all of the cameras and technology of today, the action seemed too far away from the television set.

This is the last year of NBC’s contract with the NHL. It would be nice to see a return to ESPN and ABC. ESPN always did a great job of blending their coverage with the hockey novice and the grizzled TV viewer, NBC dumbed it down last night, way down.

One last thing, NHL, PLEASE GET RID OF THE CAVEMAN!

Crosby vs. Ovechkin Rivalry: All Talk, No Action in Classic

Fact: Both Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin debuted in the NHL in the 2005-06 season. Both superstars have amassed exactly 571 points headed into this year’s Winter Classic. After the Classic both players still have exactly 571 points.

Bob Costas's first period intermission segment about the Crosby and Ovechkin rivalry was nothing new to those of us that watch the NHL on a daily basis. What is a fairly rare event are both players going pointless in a head to head match-up.

Crosby and Ovechkin have gone head to head 20 times. Crosby has an edge in those games with 35 points compared to Ovie's 28.

The Winter Classic marked just the second time that the two have gone head to head without either gaining a point. The last time this occurred was February 3rd, 2007.

Until the Winter Classic, the February 2007 game was the only time in the 20 regular season match-ups that Crosby did not register a point against the Capitals.

The Classic marked the fifth time Ovechkin has gone pointless in the head to head meetings.

Opinion: I would take Crosby's team accomplishments over Ovie's individual awards and Ovechkin has said the same. I was recently watching the Great 8 DVD and Alex Ovechkin's mother, a former world class champion athlete in the former Soviet Union, seems to have Alex focused on winning a Stanley Cup with the Caps and a gold medal for Russia.

She told Alex nothing else matters in his career at this point than those two accomplishments.

 The Winter Classic represented the first time Ovechkin's Capitals prevailed over Crosby's Penguins in a game that really seemed to matter on a big stage. If I had to lay my money on which one would win the next Stanley Cup, I'm taking Ovechkin.

The HBO Effect: Before and After

Fact: HBO President Ross Greenburg stated in an NHL Network interview that the 24/7 Penguins-Capitals special has been a hit for HBO. Greenburg said "some three million viewers watched the first episode" and that represents "strong audience performance" for the network.

Both coaches were asked to give their feelings about the departure of the HBO crew filming the series.

Bruce Boudreau was asked if he looked forward to getting back to normal and responded by saying, "We kind of like them now, we didn't like them much at the beginning of the month but I think everything worked out".

Prior to the shows December 15th debut the Capitals had lost six in a row and were mired in the worst team slump since head coach Bruce Boudreau arrived. Since December 15th the Capitals are 5-3 with twelve points.

Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said "I feel a little let down seeing their guys go away". "Our guys are shaking their hands and saying goodbye to the HBO crew'.”I feel like we are sending a player down".

The Penguins prior to the arrival of the 24/7 show on December 15th had won twelve games in a row and Sidney Crosby was in the middle of a career best point scoring streak.

Since the debut the Penguins are 4-4 with ten points and Crosby's point scoring streak was snapped against the Islanders at 25 games.

Opinion: Boudreau should ask for his own reality series while Bylsma should be helping the crew load the trucks.

Both coaches were featured prominently on the show in far different lights.

What I learned is Boudreau loves to use words that rhyme with puck, eat Hagen Daas and suffers from a mean case of belly-do.

Bylsma loves his wife and little boy and really seems to be a bit more connected with his players

The shows final episode will air this Wednesday night at 10:00 P.M. on HBO

Semyon Varlamov: Trade Bait, or the No. 1 Guy?

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 31: Goalie Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Washington Capitals looks on during practice for the 2011 NHL Winter Classic between the Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 31, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fact: Capitals Goalie Semyon Varlamov was the number one star of the Winter classic making 32 saves. Varlamov is a streaky goaltender having won his past three games while surrendering just three goals in the process.

Varlamov shutout the Montreal Canadians on Tuesday night making 25 saves. Prior to his current winning streak Varlamov had lost four in a row surrendering 15 goals. Varlie also has another four game winning streak from earlier this season.

Opinion: Varlamov has had his struggles staying healthy. Former Capitals goaltending great Olaf Kolzig said on the NHL Network that Varlamov can be the number one guy the Capitals are in search of to make a deep run in the playoffs. Kolzig added that his style of play is conducive to groin injuries. Varlamov has missed time already this season with those same groin issues.

I like Michael Neuvirth and believe he, not Varlamov is the future in the Washington net. The winter Classic was a great opportunity to showcase Varlamov and he played sensational.

I look for the Capitals to package Varlamov with struggling forward and potential free agent Alex Semin in a trade deadline deal to acquire a veteran goalie and top second line forward for the Capitals Stanley Cup run.   

Pittsburgh Fans Always Represent, Last Night Caps Fans Showed Up in Force

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Two Washington Capitals fans sit among a crowd of Pittsburgh Penguins fans during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Fact: The attendance for last night's game at Heinz field was 68,111. The NHL Network announced that 30,000 Capitals fans were in attendance to cheer on their team. 

Opinion: Pittsburgh fans always represent.It doesn't matter whether the Steelers or Penguins are in your town playing, there is always a large contingent of black and gold to be found. Last night in Pittsburgh, Caps fans represented and should be proud. Red, White and Blue could be seen everywhere and the only thing better than being seen is to be heard.

Caps fans, you were heard.

Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis noted at one point last night a section of Capitals fans stood up with a section of Penguins fans and in unison chanted "Flyers Suck". Leonsis seemed thrilled that Caps and Pens fans found a common enemy as he laughingly described the scene on the NHL Network.

See Pens fans we can get along. NOT!

No Handshake, No Big Deal, or Is It?

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice with teammates 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,

Fact: The Capitals and Penguins did not continue the tradition of shaking hands following the Winter Classic. Boston and Philadelphia shook hands last year. Even Detroit and Chicago shook hands two years ago.

Opinion: These two teams simply do not like each other and there is no written rule that says the teams have to shake hands following the Winter Classic. The Penguins did wait for a few minutes and saluted their crowd while the Capitals were celebrating their win.

Was it classless not to shake hands? Yes it was, but by both teams. The Capitals weren't exactly skating to greet the Penguins either. As a fan and a guy that's played sports competitively I'm OK with the fact there were no pleasantries exchanged. Losing, for lack of a better term, sucks and Pittsburgh just lost in front of almost 70,000 people in their city, they weren't in the mood.

The last 0.06 seconds didn't help the situation as both teams seemed to want to do a little more than push and shove.

This was the most physical of the three previous Winter Classics. There were a combined 70 hits with 44 coming from the home team. There was one real good fight between Michael Rupp of the Penguins and John Erskine of the Capitals and plenty of pushing and shoving.

Rupp said following the game "You know? Whatever. There's no secret that we don't like each other. I think that we're all professionals, we could probably go through and shake hands, but, the way the game was going at the end, you never know."

No handshake is no big deal.

This Was No Easy Feat To Pull off, Here Are Some Numbers

Fact: Dan Craig the ice guru for the Winter Classic needed the following to make the fourth Winter Classic a success. He used a 300 Ton capacity refrigeration trailer that kept the ice cool at Heinz Field.  Craig's staff used 350 Gallons of paint to make Heinz Field ice white. They needed 3,000 Gallons of coolant to freeze the Heinz Field rink and 10,000 Gallons of water to create a one-inch deep ice surface on Heinz Field.

The ice surface was two inches thick, you do the math.

Opinion: Mr. Craig and his staff worked a miracle to get this ice playable. Temperatures in Pittsburgh made it to 55 degrees yesterday, add a half inch of rain and that is not a good combination for a great skating surface.

Both teams were slowed and the Capitals seemed to make the better game plan adjustment. They played deeper than Pittsburgh, playing north and south. Washington played between the circles while crashing the net.

Pittsburgh seemed to go east and west with the puck which cost them possessions in their own zone. Note the breakout on Washington's third goal. 

The goalies spent a lot of time on the ice and the extra water had to slow them. No dis-respesct to Eric Fehr's shot on his second goal but Marc-Andrea Fluery's glove wasn't all that fast coming up to try and catch the shot.

The NHL Has Some Big Decisions To Make for the Winter Classic of the Future

Fact: New Years Day next year falls on a Sunday next year and the last week of the NFL regular season could potentially coincide with this event.

Opinion: It will be a very interesting summer for the Winter Classic. Many predict the Rangers and the city of New York will play host next year. That would be a foolish decision by the NHL. With Pittsburgh (twice), Washington, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit and Chicago having participated it's time to move further west.

In my opinion Denver is the obvious choice next season. I would have no problem with a Colorado-New York Rangers match-up next season but in Denver.

The NHL may want a rivalry involved so Detroit may have to re-appear in that circumstance. Many will complain, like this year with Pittsburgh that Detroit would be making a second appearance.

Real hockey fans aren't whining about this because everyone knew this year’s match-up was best for the NHL and bringing Pittsburgh back to play Washington was a great decision in a TV negotiating year for the NHL.

Taking this game west next year is a must. If it fails then bring it back east but at least your just one year into a new TV deal.

 What also is best is continuing to keep a team in the game that the country wants to see. A Colorado-San Jose match-up is not in the best interest of the NHL. A game in Denver is but with an original six team or a team that has an Ovechkin or Crosby like superstar.

Many would want the Minnesota Wild if the Avalanche are involved, not enough for a potential ratings bonanza in my opinion.

The NHL will be negotiating a new network TV contract this off-season and after last year’s great Stanley Cup ratings and last night's Classic, the NHL seems to be holding all of the cards and making all of the right decisions. 

Don't blow it NHL, share the game, yes but be smart about the teams and cities you choose. Consider playing the All-Star game outside every year but New York for New York’s sake may not be in the best interest of the sport.  

What's Ahead for Both Teams Following the Classic

Could this be the year?

Fact: Pittsburgh's next seven games are against teams with winning records. Pittsburgh will play Boston and Montreal twice during this stretch. The Capitals play their next four games against divisional foes.

The Capitals play a home and home series with the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning over the next week. The Caps and Lightning are locked in a battle for the Southeast Division so these two games are critical for both teams.

The winning teams in the previous Winter Classics have a combined record of 9-6 in the five games following the New Year's Day game while the losing team is 7-8 over the same stretch.

Only last year’s winner, the Boston Bruins had a losing record over that five game stretch going 1-4, while Buffalo was 0-5 after losing the inaugural game. Only Buffalo failed to make the playoffs after playing in the Classic. Both the Red Wings and Penguins played in and lost in the Stanley Cup Finals the years they played in the Classic, ironically to each other.

Opinion: Either the Capitals or Penguins will represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals this year. If Washington trades Alexander Semin acquiring a veteran goalie and a little better depth on their second or third line then the Caps are my pick.

If Semin is still wearing a Capitals jersey in April then Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will play for the franchises fourth Stanley Cup.