NHL, HBO announce 24/7 series featuring Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and NHL Winter Classic

The NHL and HBO Sports announced Thursday their partnership for a groundbreaking, four-episode series as part of the network’s 12-time Emmy Award-winning “24/7” reality TV franchise that will go deep into the inner workings of the Capitals-Penguins rivalry leading up to the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, which will be played Jan. 1 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

The series will debut with an hour-long show Dec. 15 at 10 p.m. ET with an encore at 11. Ensuing episodes will debut at 10 p.m. ET on the subsequent Wednesdays — Dec. 22, 29 and Jan. 5 — all with an encore at 11. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series also will be available on HBO On Demand. [NHL.com]

ALERT: Caps reaction video, in which Mike Green almost smiles!!  Also Ovi promises to swear in Russian and Greener talks about having “grown up” and being less “colorful.”  That had better not be too true.

HELP ME - This is turning into a Caps blog!

Well, there goes December.  But first we have to make it that far!  Last night, all the WUYS fave teams got off to strong starts:

– The Pens broke in the CONSOL Energy Center with a 5-1 spank of the Red Wings, including goals from Mr. Hilary Duff and Crosby, and assists for Sid and Letang (Love. His. Hair.)

We want to brush it.

– Patrice Bergeron treated Chuck to 2 goals as the Bruins beat Montreal 4-2.  He’s not Chuck’s fave, but she’ll need something to do all season if Savard’s post-concussion syndrome is as serious as feared.  And Seguin is too young, unless he’s also a werewolf in which case we have no problem being Team Tyler.

Aimez-moi, s'il vous plaît.

– The Capitals downed Columbus 6-2.  Neither Ovi nor Greener skated, but Tomas Fleishmann got 2 goals.  And his nickname is Flash, like the dog on The Dukes of Hazzard.

Flash hated Boss Hogg.

– The Lightning beat the Blackhawks in Winnipeg, putting a sad face on Captain Serious‘ return to his hometown and causing him to lose customers for his summer lawn mowing business.  Later he swam away his sadness in the lake they named for him.

Seven more games tonight, including a mini-set between the Coyotes and Kings.  BizNasty will undoubtedly report what they have for dinner and how many girls swoon over Taylor Pyatt.  Breaking news, people.