NHL betting is about to get a whole lot cooler when the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins play outside in the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field. 

Televised on NBC in the United States and CBC in Canada, the 2011 NHL Winter Classic will be the fourth edition of the annual outdoor event that started in 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium when the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in front of 71,217 hockey fans.

NHL bettors and fans alike will get to see the game’s two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, face off for bragging rights. 

Crosby is currently putting together one of the best streaks & seasons in recent memory, drawing comparisons to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Ovechkin, meanwhile, is struggling to fill the net like he’s done in the past.   

The Penguins and Capitals have also built up a nasty rivalry over the years, giving the game even more meaning for both the players and the passionate fan bases.  

Bet on the 2011 NHL Winter Classic today. Get all your NHL betting lines & spreads at Bodog.