Winter Classic 2011 Hopes to Be Primetime Event

The Winter Classic 2011 is unlike any before it. However, the Winter Classic 2011 could be either the most famous edition of the game, or the most infamous. When this day was first set in motion, everyone expected a major triumph. After all, the Penguins and Capitals were facing off, along with the two biggest stars in the game. Now the Winter Classic 2011 is more noteworthy as the first night time battle in the event's history - assuming it is held tonight.

For the last three years, viewers have tuned in to watch hockey on New Years afternoon, alongside the college football showdowns. However, thanks to rain in Pittsburgh, they will have to wait until tonight to see outdoor hockey, at the earliest.

The Winter Classic 2011 will now be played at around 8 pm est, if all goes well. By then, temperatures will be down from the low 50's to the high 30's, and the rain will presumably let up. However, there are still fears of another shower at night, which could cause another delay.

If the worst happens, then they would have to play tomorrow afternoon, and go up against the last week of NFL play. Tomorrow is their last chance to play in Heinz Field, as the league hopes to avoid the absolute worst case scenario of playing indoors, at a later date.

Assuming that the Winter Classic 2011 will get in tonight, the rink conditions, and the darkness, will be under question. Even if the rink holds up under the weather, goaltenders will have to see the black puck coming at them, under the black of night. If that is a problem, the league probably won't mind as much, since Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are the real headliners.

This is the biggest event of the NHL regular season, although this is only the 4'th annual game. In the past, bad weather was a plus, but only when it was cold or snowing. The Penguins seem to bring the worst weather to outdoor hockey, since they played the Sabres during a snowfall in 2008.

But now that they are hosting the Winter Classic 2011, the Penguins hope that the weather can hold off for a few hours. Since this is a marquee meeting with the Capitals, any further delays would be a larger loss to the league.

This was supposed to be the best and biggest Winter Classic of them all, considering who is involved. Instead, if the weather doesn't cooperate today, or tomorrow, it could be the most disastrous edition of all. For now, fingers are crossed that the game will be held at 8 pm est on NBC.

Sources

SB Nation- "Winter Classic 2011: Weather Moves Penguins-Capitals To 8 PM Saturday"