The second annual Winter Classic (to be held 1/1/2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago) is fast approaching and if their first two games are any indication the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings are going to put on quite a show. In their first match-up the Blackhawks built-up a 4-2 lead only to see that slip away resulting in a 6-5 shootout win by Detroit. Saturday night the two teams collided again with Detroit taking the early lead only to lose it to Chicago who again earned a 4-2 lead over Detroit. And again, much like the first game, Detroit battled back and ultimately got the best of Chicago in a shootout 5-4. Watching the established stars in Detroit (Zetterberg, Lindstrom, Hossa, etc.) face-off against rising stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane is extremely entertaining; it is kind of a way of looking into the game’s present and while also seeing where it is headed in the future and boy does the future look bright. Having played two close games has only increased the anticipation of the game as the intensity level has taken a major leap as Detroit has frustrated the young Blackhawks who badly want to get over the hump that is the Red Wings—healthy animosity is building. If this all holds up the National audiences in the U.S. and Canada and those watching around the world are in for a real treat.

Unlike Thursday, Wednesday had a full slate of action including two great performances by Russian stars Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin. Led by Ovechkin’s hat trick the Washington Capitals ended their three-game-losing-streak by defeating the Atlanta Thrashers 5-3. Also on Wednesday the Pittsburgh Penguins were down 3-1 in the third but Malkin’s natural hat trick helped the Penguins get the come-from-behind 5-3 win over the suddenly surging New York Islanders. Sure there are a lot of other stars in the league but we should be very thankful to have them playing in the NHL because not that long ago both men would have remained hidden behind the iron curtain that was the Soviet Union.