Owner Ted Leonsis is going to officially confirm the event during the Capitals Convention on Saturday. The team tweeted earlier this week that Leonsis was going to make a major announcement at the event, which led many to speculate that it meant the team was going to host the Winter Classic. Speculation was further fanned by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman previously promising that Washington would host the event in the near future.
Carrera cites a league source who stated that Leonsis will be announcing the franchise's procurement of the NHL's primary outdoor game, but writes that an opponent and location have yet to be selected. Carrera speculates that Nationals Park, the home of the Washington Nationals, is a likely location as team owner Mark Lerner is a minority partner in Leonsis' Monumental Sports and Entertainment. The NHL has previously expressed interest in using football stadiums for the game because sight lines are better and more people can attend the contest.
The Capitals participated in the 2011 Winter Classic against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field. Washing won the game by a final score of 3-1.