The Washington Capitals will host the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic on Jan. 1, a source confirmed Friday.
The news was first reported by TSN.
No site has been announced, though it has long been rumored that Nationals Park will serve as the venue. It will be the first interconference game in the history of the event, which began in 2008.
It will be the Capitals' second appearance in the annual outdoor event; Washington defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins by a 3-1 score in 2011 in front of 68,111 fans at Heinz Field. Chicago will also be participating in its second Winter Classic, having lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 edition at Wrigley Field. The Blackhawks participated in an outdoor game last season as well, defeating the Penguins at Soldier Field in one of four Stadium Series games.
Both teams will presumably have their respective lead-ups to the Winter Classic chronicled by HBO for their "24/7" miniseries. The Capitals, who took part in the inaugural program in 2010-11, will be the first team to appear twice.
The NHL regular-season schedule will be officially revealed Sunday.
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