While the Winter Classic concluded with a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Washington Capitals over the Chicago Blackhawks on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park, the action on the ice was only a small part of the story. Epix has been presenting the “Road to the NHL Winter Classic” for the past four weeks, with each weekly episode showcasing all the behind-the-scenes action.
It has given hockey fans from around the world a chance to see their favorite players on the ice, but also off the ice. The episodes provide a glimpse into their personal lives and, of course, some sense of the day-to-day grind of being a professional hockey player. While the salaries are high and the fame is immense, many aspects of an NHL player’s lives are far from glamorous.
“Road to the NHL Winter Classic” was produced by 52-time Emmy award winner Ross Greenburg. The series offers viewers an exclusive look inside the world of the NHL, with placed cameras and microphones providing an all-access pass to players’ homes, locker rooms, training rooms, and the arena.
In the final episode, the show focuses on each team spending part of its New Year’s Eve on the outdoor rink at Nationals Park, getting acclimated, enjoying precious time with family and friends–including a game of shinny with military veterans who play for USA Warriors. Finally, game-day arrives and the teams put on a brilliant show that culminates with the Capitals’ late-game heroics in front of a sold-out crowd.
The fourth and final episode will air tonight on Epix at 10/9c and can be found here.
Here a couple sneak peeks at what you will see in the final episode: