THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby is certain of this: The NHL won't have to manufacture a rivalry when the Capitals and Penguins play in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 in Pittsburgh.

Crosby says the Capitals-Penguins series is so intense it's essentially a season within season when the teams meet. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says it probably is the NHL's best rivalry now. And now it's moving outdoors.

The NHL picked the most summery of days to showcase its midwinter game, as Crosby and teammates Pascal Dupuis and Max Talbot and the Capitals' Mike Knuble and David Steckel shot pucks between Heinz Field's goal posts.