Capitals' Orpik ready for 4th outdoor game after experiencing weather extremes

Count Brooks Orpik as a veteran of NHL outdoor games. The Washington Capitals defenseman is preparing to appear in his third Winter Classic and also played in a Stadium Series contest while with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

As a result, Orpik has played through a wide range of weather conditions and understands how it affects the game. At one end of the spectrum, there was the 2011 Winter Classic he played with the Penguins against the Capitals. That game was moved into the evening, but temperatures were still too warm to keep the ice completely frozen.

"In warmups we were making passes, and literally you make a pass and you'd be spraying water in the guy's face," Orpik told NHL.com. "I remember just trying to get through that game."

Orpik also played in temperatures well below freezing last season during a Stadium Series game against the Blackhawks at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 1. It snowed heavily at times during the contest.

"I think that was the coldest I've ever been playing hockey," Orpik said.

Other Washington players have fond memories of the 2011 Classic, which the Capitals won 3-1.

"It was a great time," Washington captain Alex Ovechkin said. "The rivalry with me and Sid, Washington and Pittsburgh, it was great."

The Capitals will host the Blackhawks at Nationals Park for the 2015 Winter Classic on Jan. 1.