* Brouwer’s father, Don, watched his son play in the U.S. capital for the first time since suffering a stroke in 2010. “He texted me, but that's it,” Brouwer said immediately after the game. “I haven’t responded to him. I figured I would wait until I got home to kind of share it with him. But knowing how my dad is, right now he’s probably got a couple tears.”

* Per Elias, Brouwer’s goal at 19:47 marked the latest go-ahead tally by a Capitals player (in regulation) since Nov. 6, 2008, when Alexander Semin scored at 19:49 of the third period to snap a 2-2 tie vs. CAR.

LATE-GAME DRAMA CONTINUES IN WINTER CLASSIC
Five of the seven Winter Classics in NHL history have featured late-game drama:

* In 2008, the first installment of the game, Sidney Crosby scored in the third round of the shootout to propel the Penguins past the Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.

* In 2010, Marco Sturm found the back of the net at 1:57 of overtime to lead the Bruins to a come-from-behind victory over the Flyers at Fenway Park in Boston.

* In 2012, Henrik Lundqvist denied Daniel Briere on a penalty shot with 19.6 seconds remaining in regulation to backstop the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Flyers at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

* In 2014, Tyler Bozak potted the winning goal in the third round of the shootout to lift the Maple Leafs past the Red Wings in front of an NHL-record crowd of 105,491 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Stats and notes from the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic:

* Capitals forward Eric Fehr opened the scoring at 7:01 of the first period. Fehr, who posted a pair of goals (including the GWG) in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Penguins in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, is the first player to record three career goals in outdoor games.

* Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews collected one assist, giving him five points (2-3—5) in three outdoor game appearances – the most in outdoor game history.

* Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp added a power-play goal. His four career points in outdoor games (2-2—4 in 3 GP) are tied for second all-time with teammate Marian Hossa (0-4—4 in 3 GP) and Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg (0-4—4 in 2 GP).

* Sharp also registered 10 shots on goal, the second-most in outdoor game history and one shy of record-holder Rene Bourque (11 for CGY in 2011 HC).

* Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik and Blackhawks forwards Daniel Carcillo and Brad Richards all skated in their fourth career outdoor games, the most in NHL history. Despite being hurt in the club’s last outing, Orpik led the Capitals – and ranked second among all players – with 24:44 TOI.

* Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville became the first bench boss to coach in three outdoor NHL games.

* Named the First Star of the game, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin registered 1-1—2, including the primary assist on Brouwer’s game-winning marker. Ovechkin scored his 18th goal of the season, moving into a share of sixth place in the NHL. He also has 6-5—11 in his past 11 outings and 7-4—11 in 10 career games vs. CHI.

* The Capitals became just the fourth home team to win an outdoor game, joining the 2010 Bruins (WC), 2011 Flames (HC) and 2014 Blackhawks (SS). Overall, road teams are a combined 10-3-1 in outdoor contests.

* The Capitals picked up points for the 12th time in their past 13 outings dating to Dec. 4 (9-1-3). At 19-11-7 (45 points), they leapfrogged the Rangers (20-11-4, 44 points) for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

* The Blackhawks suffered just their third regulation loss in their past 17 outings dating to Nov. 26 (13-3-1).

* The Capitals swept the two-game season series between these clubs, following a 3-2 come-from-behind victory on Nov. 7 at United Center. They also have won six of their last eight meetings dating to Oct. 11, 2008.

OUTDOOR GAME ATTENDANCE PASSES THREE-QUARTER-MILLION MARK
With a sellout crowd of 42,832 filling Nationals Park, total attendance for the NHL’s 14 outdoor games since 2003-04 now tops 780,000:

2003 Molson Canadian NHL Heritage Classic, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton: 57,167
2008 Amp Energy NHL Winter Classic, Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo: 71,217
2009 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Wrigley Field, Chicago: 40,818
2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Fenway Park, Boston: 38,112
2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh: 68,111
2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, McMahon Stadium, Calgary: 41,022
2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia: 46,967
2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor: 105,491
2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: 54,099
2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, Yankee Stadium, New York (NYR at NJ): 50,105
2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, Yankee Stadium, New York (NYR at NYI): 50,027
2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, Soldier Field, Chicago: 62,921
2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, BC Place, Vancouver: 54,194
2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.: 42,832
Total Attendance: 783,083 (per-game average of 55,935)

PLAYERS REVEL IN ANOTHER CLASSIC
“The game didn't feel like a regular-season game. It felt a lot more special, a lot more important than your standard regular-season game. The bench, when Brow scored, just erupted. Fans erupted.” – Capitals forward Brooks Laich

“I’ve had some good moments in my hockey career before. But this one, with all the intangibles that play a part of it, my parents being able to come into town . . . the dramatic fashion at the end of the game of how it played out, it’s definitely going to be a memorable day.” – Capitals forward Troy Brouwer

“The whole day was unbelievable. The atmosphere on the ice, since the first second, was unreal . . . I always have fun, but this is one of those special days.” – Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin

“We were screaming so hard in the huddle I almost passed out. I could only imagine what the fans were doing.” – Capitals defenseman Mike Green

“It’s a celebration of our game. It sounds cheesy, but it makes you feel like a little kid again.” – Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen

THEY SAID IT
“A perfect day. That’s how the start of 2015 will be remembered by most of the 42,832 hearty souls that gathered at Nationals Park to watch a hockey game. That’s how I’ll look back on it, too . . . This was a reminder that reality occasionally exceeds expectations and proof that the Winter Classic will remain an important part of the North American sports calendar for years to come.” – Chris Johnston (Sportsnet)

“The NHL almost could not have scripted the 2015 Winter Classic any better. From the time the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks took the ice at Nationals Park, through a flyover by F-16 fighter jets, an Alex Ovechkin goal and the drama of a late winner by Troy Brouwer, Thursday’s game was a showcase of top-of-the-line hockey.” – Stephen Whyno (Canadian Press)

“There was only this: a flawless day and compelling hockey game that reinforced that whatever else the NHL does, the Winter Classic remains a gold standard in memorable. End stop.” – Scott Burnside (ESPN)

“This was the first stadium game the Capitals have hosted, and this was the celebration of hockey in Washington it was supposed to be. You had to be here. When you woke up on New Year’s morning, hockey was on the front page of the Washington Post, above the fold. When you took the Metro to the Navy Yard stop near Nationals Park, every car was chock full of hockey fans.” – Nick Cotsonika (Yahoo! Sports)

“Of all the perfect ways this perfect day could have ended for the hosts, try imagining one better than what happened Thursday afternoon in Southwest Washington: a son scoring the winning goal with 12.9 seconds left for a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, his former team, as his father watched from the stands, the proudest face among a crowd hurling seat cushions like wedding rice.” – Alex Prewitt (Washington Post)

“What a day it was for hockey, which got what it wanted in the pairing of two of the NHL's most talented, well-coached teams.” – David Haugh (Chicago Tribune)

“Whether it was pristine weather or years of perfecting the process, the ice surface was the best the Winter Classic has ever had and it resulted in an exciting back-and-forth hockey game.” – Travis Hughes (SB Nation)

“It also should be said the transformation of Nationals Park into a mini-D.C. made a great background. The entryway ice that simulated the National Mall was a terrific idea, and the Capitol background added to the unique atmosphere.” – Ray Slover (Sporting News)

KINGS RALLY PAST CANUCKS, LEAPFROG THREE TEAMS IN PACIFIC
Down 2-0 late in the second period, the Kings scored three unanswered goals – including the tying and winning markers in the final 2:07 of regulation – to leapfrog the Canucks, Sharks and Flames and move into second place in the Pacific Division.

* The Kings improved to 4-1-2 in their past seven games. They also picked up their sixth win in their past seven meetings with the Canucks dating to Nov. 9, 2013.

* Jarret Stoll potted the tiebreaking goal with 1:14 remaining in regulation, his 24th career game-winning goal and second of the season (also Nov. 15 vs. ANA).

* Justin Williams tied the score with his 51st career power-play goal and second of the season (also Nov. 22 at DAL).

* Jonathan Quick made 14 saves to improve to 11-11-1 in 23 career regular-season appearances against the Canucks, including a 5-1-0 mark in his last six such games.

* The Kings improved to 13-3-2 this season when recording a power-play goal.

LOOSE PUCKS
Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (1-1—2) posted his seventh multi-point performance of the season, including his team-leading 15th goal . . . Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller made 37 saves, one shy of his season high set Dec. 22 vs. ARI . . . Canucks forward Brad Richardson played in his 500th NHL game . . . Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw skated in his 200th NHL game . . . The Department of Player Safety suspended Oilers defenseman Keith Aulie for two games for an illegal check to the head of Flames forward Matt Stajan . . . ICYMI: Capitals forward Jay Beagle and Blackhawks goaltender Antti Raanta posted their final blogs for the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic . . . Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner wore sunglasses to start the game . . .Kraft announced the start of the nomination period for Hockeyville. One community in Canada and – for the first time – one community in the U.S. will have the chance to win the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2015. The winners will host a preseason game and receive funding for upgrades to a local arena.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Florida @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., FS-F, MSG-B, BELL TV
Montreal @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., SNE, RDS, MSG+
Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., TVA, SUN, ROOT
Philadelphia @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., CSN-PH, FS-CR
Toronto @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., SNO, FS-N
Edmonton @ Colorado, 9:00 p.m., SNW, ALT
NY Islanders @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., SN1, MSG+ 2
St. Louis @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m., FS-MW, PRIME
NBCSN Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

EASTERN CONFERENCE CLUBS BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference face off when the Lightning visit the Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center. At 24-11-4, Tampa Bay leads the conference with 52 points, while Pittsburgh sits on their heels with 51 (23-9-5). This marks the third and final meeting between these clubs this season; the Penguins won their first matchup on Dec. 15 in Pittsburgh, while the Lightning took the most recent meeting on Dec. 23 in Tampa, snapping a 10-game losing streak in the head-to-head series. The Penguins, however, have won the last eight regular-season games between these clubs in Pittsburgh dating to Nov. 12, 2010. Overall, the Lightning have won four straight, while the Penguins snapped a four-game skid with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday vs. CAR.

the information above was provided by the NHL PR department