PITTSBURGH (AP) — There isn’t much winter in the Winter Classic forecast.
Air Science Consultants, a suburban Pittsburgh firm that is advising the NHL, predicts a high of 54 with showers Saturday for the Capitals-Penguins outdoor game at Heinz Field.
The league said the ice can be kept stable, but any rain poses a risk to the players that might require a delay. The NHL is prepared to start the scheduled 1 p.m. EST game as late as 8 p.m. if it rains, or shift the game to Sunday.
The forecast for Friday’s team practices is partly sunny with a high of 58.
The thaw will occur after weeks of frigid weather in Pittsburgh, where the daily high temperature has been above 29 only five times in December.
