Caps in Pittsburgh Counting Down the Hours Until Classic

HM got to take in a bit of Caps practice yesterday, and you could sense the excitement in the air as the players prepared for their journey to Pittsburgh and their first appearance in NHL's Bridgestone Winter Classic. The boys worked on their struggling power play while wearing their WC red lids and star-spangled pants. Alex Ovechkin talked about the power play in an interview after practice and noted the significance of the game for both Washington and Pittsburgh. He surmised: "It's a big game for us and a bigger game for them. We just have to win - we have a good system and just have to play how we have and how we can play."

Meanwhile, you can catch a glimpse of Ovi's fancy skates for the big event over at DC Sports Bog. On Frozen Blog also takes a look into the sweat equity the Caps' equipment crew undertakes in getting everything ready for the big day (OFB also has a crew on the ground in da 'Burgh all weekend so they'll be providing lots of updates).

Other Winter Classic related links to peruse while we count down the hours:

• The Examiner is hosting a Caps on Tap Winter Classic viewing party.
• So much in the timing of the event is up in the air due to the rainy forecast for tomorrow but GMGM is confident that the show will go on (be it Saturday or Sunday).
• Everything you wanted to know about the Winter Classic and then some from Japers.
• What would a Caps/Pens matchup be without the ever present Sid/Ovi comparisons?

For all of you who travelled to Pittsburgh for the Classic, here's wishing you a rain-free Caps victory and to all of you out there, have a very happy and safe New Year's Eve!