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Friday, 31 December 2010 18:00

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The "worst kept secret" in the worlds of Capitals forward Mike Knuble is now official. The Winter Classic will now have an 8 p.m. start tomorrow.

With rain expected to last in Pittsburgh from early morning until early evening, the league opted to move the game time back due to the potential for poor ice conditions.

The parking lots to Heinz Field will open at 2:30 p.m. The gates to the stadium will open at 5:30 p.m.

The game will be considered official once two periods are play. If weather forces the rest of the game to be cancelled after two periods, the team in the lead will be declared the winner and will be awarded two points.

If the game requires a shootout but weather doesn't permit play, the shootout will be held prior to a game between the Penguins and Capitals Feb. 6 at the Verizon Center.

Notes:

-The Penguins are scheduled to hold a morning skate at Consol Energy Center at 10:30 p.m. just like a normal game day.

-NBC will air NHL-related programming such as interviews and footage from previous Winter Classics from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow.  Golfing programming will air at 4 p.m.

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Comments (3)

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written by Louder_Is_Best, December 31, 2010 - 11:15 PM

2 periods can be an official game? Are you kidding me? Come on, NHL. This is exactly why you're not regarded as one of the Big Four sports in America, because of stupid B.S. like that.

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written by kuhfuss5, January 01, 2011 - 08:26 AM

Actually, Major League Baseball has similar rain delay rules in place for extreme weather. In short, all they need is 5 innings for it to be an official game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R...)#Baseball

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written by saneman, January 01, 2011 - 12:32 PM

*t's a regular season game. Not a playoff game. Over 84 games, practical realities needs to interfere with the so called "integrity" of a game.

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