Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, pictured here at a 2009 training session with Alex Ovechkin. Photo by photopete

It became official today: the Washington Capitals will get to play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also promised a Winter Classic will come to Washington, D.C. within the next two to three years.

Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau says every time he watches a Winter Classic, it’s something he wants to be involved in.

“It looks like such a happening-type thing,” he told reporters Friday.

Boudreau added that the prospect of playing in front of 65,000-plus screaming fans on the Pens’ home turf doesn’t phase him. He said he thinks a lot of Caps fans will make the trip up to Pittsburgh.

Caps fans, start saving now!