Capitals, Blackhawks to play Winter Classic at Nationals Park, report says
The Winter Classic appears to have found its venue in the nation's capital.
According to a report from The Washington Post, the NHL has reached an agreement to hold the 2015 Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals. It had previously been announced the Washington Capitals would host the game against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the venue had yet to be determined.
According to the Post, an official announcement is expected before the end of September.
The NHL has held its annual outdoor game on Jan. 1 five out of the last six times it was played. The 2012 game was moved to Jan. 2 so it would not conflict with the final week of the NFL season, and there was no game during lockout-shortened 2013.
The 2014 Winter Classic was held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. More than 105,000 people saw the Toronto Maple Leafs edge the Detroit Red Wings in a 3-2 shootout win.
This will be the second Winter Classic game for both the Capitals and Blackhawks. The 'Hawks fell to the Red Wings 6-4 at Wrigley Field in Chicago in 2009, and the Caps beat the Penguins 3-1 in Pittsburgh's Heinz Field in 2011.
