On Tuesday, the NHL stepped back on the gridiron, as league officials, as well as members of the Penguins and Capitals, gathered at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, where the 2011 Winter Classic will be held on New Year's Day.
The Penguins will be the first team to play in the Classic for a second time, as they won the inaugural version 2-1 in Buffalo on Sidney Crosby's shootout goal at Ralph Wilson Stadium. That was the last time the game was held at a football stadium, as the league shifted to baseball venues the last two years with Classics held at Wrigley Field and Fenway.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pronounced that "the Capitals and Penguins will write a new chapter in Pittsburgh sports history," but they'll have a hard act to follow after last year's show at Fenway. Marco Sturm provided the magical finish for Boston fans with an overtime tally to lift the Bruins to a 2-1 win.
The league is banking on spotlighting stars Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin once again, though some fans may have tired of that duo's overexposure. One Penguin certainly has tired of Ovechkin's act, which could spice up this clash after all.
Pittsburgh forward Max Talbot didn't hold back on his thoughts on Ovechkin in a radio interview with 105.9 The X in Pittsburgh.
"I'm kind of happy he's not there," said Talbot of Ovechkin, who was not on hand for Tuesday's festivities at Heinz Field. "I really didn't want to see him. I really hate the guy."
Talbot and Ovechkin aren't likely to drop the gloves, but maybe the bad blood will add some entertainment to the game. Shawn Thornton and Philadelphia's Daniel Carcillo already set the standard with the NHL's first regular-season outdoor fight last year at Fenway.
A repeat of action like that might just be worth tuning in for, at least until the Bruins take the ice indoors in Buffalo later on New Year's.