Capitals-Blackhawks draws lowest rating in Winter Classic history

The 2015 Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks drew the lowest overnight rating in the history of the event at just 2.3. The previous low was a 2.4 rating for the 2012 game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.

The 2015 Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks drew the lowest overnight rating in the history of the event at just 2.3, Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch reports.

The previous low was a 2.4 rating for the 2012 game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. The 2009 game played at Wrigley Field and the 2014 event at the University of Michigan's Big House share the record with 2.9 ratings.

NHL Winter Classic overnight ratings:
2015: 2.3
2014: 2.9
2013: No game.
2012: 2.4
2011: 2.8
2010: 2.6
2009: 2.9
2008: 2.6

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 2, 2015

• Winter Classic win shows Caps' improvement is real

The Capitals won Thursday's game at Nationals Park 3-2. Former Blackhawk Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal on a power play with 12.9 seconds remaining.

The Capitals improved to 19-11-7 with the victory and next play on Sunday against the Florida Panthers.

The Blackhawks fell to 25-11-2 and host the Dallas Stars on Sunday.

• With his father watching, Brouwer delivers for Caps

- Paul Palladino