Happy New Year 2011 = Caps v. Pens in Winter Classic

UPDATED: 5/28/2010: 3:30PM - IT IS OFFICIAL!

And exciting news for Caps Full Season Ticket Holders: "Every Washington Capitals full-season account holder will have the opportunity to purchase tix for the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic"  (Caps Twitter @washcaps)

It's expected that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will make a formal announcement in Chicago on Friday, May 28 during his state of the league address that the Washington Capitals will play the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011.

Alex Ovechkin v. Sidney Crosby should be great for TV ratings and a good way for all NHL fans to nurse a New Year's hangover. Unfortunately, that most likely means Caps fans will spending New Year's Eve in Pittsburgh!  Ideally, it would be played at Nationals Park, however, its great to have the Capitals in the classic.

A fun fact: For the last three years, one of the teams that played in the Winter Classic reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs.