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2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Blackhawks vs. Capitals

EPIX captures memorable day at NHL Winter Classic

Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

Oftentimes, the personalities and experiences around the game that fans and media don't get to see are the most interesting of all.

Watch "EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Winter Classic" to get an inside look at the personalities of the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks on their way to the NHL's signature regular-season event. REGISTER FOR YOUR EPIX FREE TRIAL ›

That's where EPIX has come in these past four weeks, serving as the window to what is usually an unseen world inside a dressing room before a game, on the ice during a game, at home with the players on off days, in the hotel, on the plane, and everywhere else they go where we don't.

The final episode of "EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Winter Classic" doesn't disappoint in bringing the viewer all of that and more. The questions you might have had once the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic was over are answered in the episode.

If you were curious about how the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks got to Nationals Park, what they saw upon arrival on the practice day and New Year's Day, and what they thought of the entire spectacle, the answers are inside the 56-minute, 34-second episode.

Hint: Capitals forward Joel Ward was blown away by the size of the Washington Nationals' clubhouse; Washington captain Alex Ovechkin couldn't stop looking around as he talked to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis about the game being a sellout; Joel Quenneville loves the fresh air, the fans, enthusiasm, hype and the fact that the game is for keeps, for two points.

'EPIX Road to the Winter Classic' airs series finale

NHL.com

If you're wondering how the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks got to Nationals Park, what they saw upon arrival for the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, and what they thought of the entire spectacle, watch the series finale of "EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Winter Classic" on Tuesday night (10 p.m. ET, Epix, Epix.com, NHL.com, NHL app).

If you're curious about how the decision was made by the NHL to proceed on time instead of delay the game because of sun, you'll find out in this episode.

The clubhouses that served as the dressing rooms for the Capitals and Blackhawks are located up a tunnel from the dugouts, nowhere near the center field wall the players came out of for the pregame introductions. If you're curious about how the players got to that center field wall, watch the show.

Capitals' Ovechkin lives up to hype at Winter Classic

Adam Vingan - NHL.com Correspondent

WASHINGTON -- He already had one goal to his name in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, but Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin craved another.

Having pounced on a rebound to give the Capitals a two-goal lead in the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationals Park on Thursday, he struck the post and crossbar on consecutive shot attempts in the opening 90 seconds of the second period.

Ovechkin and the Capitals provided a thrilling ending to the Winter Classic, when Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal on the power play with 12.9 seconds left in a 3-2 victory. As usual, Ovechkin celebrated with uncontained exuberance.

Bettman praises Leonsis for Winter Classic

Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

WASHINGTON -- The 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Thursday was a testament to the passion Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has for his team, his market, and the game of hockey, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said following the game Thursday at Nationals Park.

"What you saw here today from 43,000 people was a level of enthusiasm for hockey, for the Capitals that I'm not sure many people imagined could ever have been accomplished here in Washington," Commissioner Bettman said.

"[Leonsis] insisted, he was persistent, he was relentless in pursuit of this game and it was because he wanted it for Washington D.C. The atmosphere couldn't have been greater."

Brouwer's late goal lifts Capitals past Blackhawks

Adam Vingan - NHL.com Correspondent

WASHINGTON -- Seconds remained in the third period of the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals deadlocked in a 2-2 tie.

With the Blackhawks' sixth power play of the game set to expire in two seconds, captain Jonathan Toews hooked Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner, providing Washington with a late opportunity that they took advantage of.

Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad slashed Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin's stick out of his hands as he drove toward the net. With the loose puck near his feet, forward Troy Brouwer spun around and fired a shot from the slot that beat Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford with 12.9 seconds remaining in Washington’s 3-2 victory.

Disappointment of loss trumps spectacle for Hawks

Corey Masisak - NHL.com Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- While members of the Chicago Blackhawks were appreciative of the opportunity to play in a signature game like the Bridgestone 2015 NHL Winter Classic and, as a whole, enjoyed the experience, it didn’t take away any of the sting of dropping two points in the 60th minute Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park.

The Blackhawks fell behind early, rallied and carried the play in the middle of the game but ultimately left empty-handed with a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Beagle: Win makes Winter Classic even more fun

Jay Beagle - Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle played in his second Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Thursday at Nationals Park as his team skated off with a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. Beagle also suited up for Washington at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh in 2011.

Beagle agreed to offer up his opinions in blog form leading up to and after the main event.

WASHINGTON -- After all the hype for the past several weeks, today was finally the big day.

And what a day it was.

Raanta: Loss dampens Winter Classic experience

Antti Raanta - Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Raanta dressed for his first Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Thursday at Nationals Park, backing up starter Corey Crawford against the Washington Capitals.

The Blackhawks were defeated 3-2 on a goal by Troy Brouwer with 13 second remaining in the game. In his final blog from the Winter Classic, Raanta discusses the magic leading to the game as well as the disappointment of the last minute loss.

WASHINGTON -- It was a special day to be part of the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. We woke up at 9 a.m. and had a good breakfast before we started to make the trip here to the stadium.

You could really feel that everyone was excited about the game on the way over here. When we came here and had time for some pre-game warmups, we decided to play soccer outside on the field. That was a great feeling. We could see the fans were showing up early and ready for the game.

When we started to put our gear on in the locker room it was a lot of excitement. Once we had everything ready, we went to the ice for the warmup.

Capitals view Blackhawks as model franchise

Corey Masisak - NHL.com Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- When the Chicago Blackhawks were ascending to the top of the NHL, they had a franchise to measure themselves against, to model their progress after.

That franchise was the Detroit Red Wings, which was the elite organization in the League for a long time. Whether it was on-ice success or a wealth of intangible measures, the Blackhawks wanted what the Red Wings had.

It wasn't really until Chicago beat Detroit in the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs and won a second title that the little brother-big brother dynamic disappeared from that rivalry.

After two championships and four trips to the Western Conference Final in six seasons, the Blackhawks, along with the Los Angeles Kings, have become a franchise others measure themselves against. The Blackhawks will meet one of those teams Thursday in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Nationals Park.

"I think the Blackhawks are probably the gold standard right now in the National Hockey League with success on the ice and success off the ice, having a strong following," Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "To me they do everything right. The details, game presentation, facilities -- they think about the whole hockey experience for their fans, for their players, for their employees. That to me is the gold standard."


Hardworking Holtby impresses Capitals coach Trotz

Brian Compton - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz has tinkered with his forward lines with hopes of spreading offense around, but there has been one constant over the past several weeks: Braden Holtby.

The Capitals goaltender has started the past 13 games and will likely get the nod from Trotz again Thursday when Washington hosts the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Nationals Park (1 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA).

Holtby, who is 16-8-6 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .920 save percentage, has helped the Capitals move into third place in the Metropolitan Division entering Wednesday. As for the heavy workload, Holtby says the more, the merrier.

"I feel fine," Holtby said after the Capitals practiced outdoors Wednesday. "I feel better when I play more. I feel better physically. I've always kind of hated days off in general. I've said it before: If I could play every game, I would. Whenever Coach calls my name, I'm more than happy to play."


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