Years worth of post-season matchups and nail biting victories have brought the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals to blows on the rink. In addition to the team rivalry, there is also constant tension between the captains of the two teams. The leadership styles of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and his Capitals counterpart Alexander Ovechkin vary significantly. Some fans would claim this is currently the best individual rivalry in the league as well. Wherever you draw your battle lines, if you have any interest in the Penguins-Washington history, you’ve got plenty in store this season as the two will battle it out on the first day of the New Year at Heinz Field. The Penguins will host this first game of 2011 in what is sure to be a memorable match up. This event is an annual game played in an outdoor arena, with seating capacity much greater than what NHL teams are accustomed to.This game will mark the first Winter Classic appearance for the Capitals, and the second for the Penguins, who played in the 2008 classic, beating the Buffalo Sabres. The game winning goal was scored by Crosby making him the hero of the match and setting quite a standard for performance for the 2011 contest. Even if you’re not a fan of hockey, this is a match worth tuning into as it truly captures all the best of the sport. Impressive fan bases for each team, dedicated leadership from both sides, and a matchup that is sure to get the blood stirring. Tickets are already on sale through various ticket platforms such as SelectATicket and StubHub. The game will be played at 1:00 p.m. so you’ll have plenty of time to celebrate a victory or mourn the loss with friends after the game.