Winter Classic 2011: What's Next for Capitals after Big Win over Penguins?

The 2011 Winter Classic was an incredible night for hockey, and was the most spectacular game this writer has ever attended.  For the Capitals, it was an important measuring stick, as it was an opportunity to make a strong statement to the hockey world that they are capable of winning a big game over their bitter rival.  

While the game counts for two points just like any other regular season matchup, this was no ordinary game.  Unlike any other Winter Classic to date, this game featured the game's two premier stars in Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, and the Capitals rose to the occasion at Heinz Field.  

With their recent eight-game losing skid still fresh, Washington played a confident game, emerging victorious by riding clutch performances from unlikely heroes.  

Eric Fehr, who had scored just five goals going into Saturday, posted two third period goals to lift the Capitals.  Fehr's second goal, the insurance marker in the third, was the type of play that championship teams need.  After a beautiful give-and-go with linemate Jason Chimera, Fehr was sprung on a breakaway, and he calmly fired the puck past Penguins stopper Marc-Andre Fleury.  

Another young Capital who has had a difficult season, Semyon Varlamov played a starring role in the Capitals' triumph at the Classic, stopping 32 shots en route to the 3-1 victory.  Varlamov is finally showing the type of consistency that has eluded him over the past two seasons.  After a shutout win over Montreal, Varlamov weathered the storm against Pittsburgh, earning first star honors while shutting down the league's hottest offensive player in Sidney Crosby.  

The Caps' two young defensemen, John Carlson and Karl Alzner, did an excellent job of shutting down the Penguins offensive stars, which is an encouraging sign.  Carlson led all Capitals in ice time, and the pair started the game, indicative of the level of confidence coach Bruce Boudreau has in the unit.  

Even Alex Ovechkin, who has struggled through easily his worst season offensively, played with the type of fire and emotion we have rarely seen this season, laying thundering hits and asserting himself offensively.  The game clearly meant a great deal to both teams, and Ovechkin's Capitals raised their level of play to win on a national stage.  

So where does the team go from here?  With just over half the season remaining, the Capitals' current place in the standings is unfamiliar territory.  While they are tied with Tampa Bay at the top of the Southeast division, Washington is in a three-team fight for the crown, as Atlanta is just three points back.  The Capitals have run away with the division title in each of the last two seasons (though they've won three consecutive Southeast Division banners), only to fall short in the playoffs.  

This type of adversity that the team has faced this season, from injuries to prolonged slumps for stars Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin, should ultimately make them a stronger, more cohesive unit.  What this game showed is that the team is ready for big games, and may not wilt under the bright lights and enormous pressure of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  

For a team that relies upon relatively young players to lead them, confidence is vital to success, and this victory should help the team regain the swagger it lost during its eight-game winless streak.  For players like Fehr, Varlamov and Carlson, this game shows each of them that they can each be a difference maker in big games, which is an invaluable experience.  

While the Winter Classic is worth the same as any other regular season game as far as the standings are concerned, the Capitals' value out of this win can't be quantified as two points.  They won a big game on a grand stage and appear poised to make a strong second half push towards another run at the Stanley Cup.