For Caps' crew, all that's left is game

— -- WASHINGTON -- It is late afternoon on the final day of 2014, and Brock Myles is standing at the sharpening machine just outside the main part of the Washington Nationals clubhouse, er, Washington Capitals dressing room.

Twenty-four hours from now, assuming the annual Winter Classic game goes off more or less on time due to the issues of sun glare, this will all be over. The Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals will return to a state of normalcy.

The Capitals players have all departed the ballpark after going through practice and enjoying some family time on the ice.

The skates and some final stitch work on a couple of uniforms are the final tasks of the day for Myles and his colleagues on the Capitals' training staff.

All the feverish work that went into the move from the Capitals' home in Arlington, Virginia, appears to have produced the desired results.

There are no last-minute requests for changes of clothing, no last-minute alterations to equipment or jerseys. Players did not complain of being cold or hot, of skates feeling uncomfortable or anything that would require last-minute adjustments.

"No problems; the guys all had everything they needed," Myles explained as he continued to sharpen the last of the Capitals' skates.

"Obviously the glare of the sun, they mentioned that."

But everyone wore eye black or patches under their eyes to mitigate the sun's effects, and a couple of guys wore sunglasses, he said.

Gee, sounds almost too good to be true.

Myles smiles and raps the wood surface near the sharpening machine.

"They were like kids in the candy store when they came in today," he said.

Among those taking part in the family portion of the day's proceedings was Myles, his wife, his 8-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter.

"My kids loved it," he said of skating at Nationals Park. "That was pretty cool."

At the 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh, Myles didn't involve his family because he was so focused on making sure his players were ready for that outdoor contest.

This time around, the focus is no less sharp, but Myles, like many in both organizations, understands that these are moments to be savored.

And so they are.

The night before, he brought his son into the Caps' locker room at Nationals Park and they went out and looked at the shimmering ice surface.

When Myles is done sharpening the skates, he and his staff will make a final check of the equipment to make sure everything is in its place. Then the burden of performing will fall to the Capitals' players.

"It's up to them now," Myles said.