Things to know about the big game

— -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- What could be a better start to 2015 than the NHL's Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.? Here's what you need to know about this year's annual outdoor game, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET:

1. The Sun Factor: One of the main elements to monitor for Thursday's game will be the role the weather will play, not just the on-ice conditions, but on the schedule, as well. With Thursday's game time slated for 1 p.m. ET, the sun promises to be a prominent factor on whether or not the game will be pushed back. Glare from the sun can be a serious issue and potential safety concern that the NHL's department of hockey operations will take into account, as it has in previous outdoor games. Last year, one of the Stadium Series games at Yankee Stadium in New York was postponed because of the glare, and players here are being told to remain prepared in the event of a similar situation Thursday. According to Capitals head coach Barry Trotz, one option the league has presented is having the Caps and Blackhawks trade ends at the 10-minute mark of the first period. The NHL has previously done something similar -- albeit in the third period -- when wind was a factor. Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner wore sunglasses rather than the traditional eye black to minimize the glare and was happy with the results. "They were awesome. I was the only guy out there that could see anything," he told ESPN.com. A spokesman for the hockey ops told ESPN.com that players would be allowed to wear sunglasses if they preferred.

2. The Standings: The sun factor might seem like a petty gripe, but it's not. Novelty aside, this game still counts for two points, and both teams treat the match accordingly. Though it is safe to say the Blackhawks are a lock to make the playoffs, the Capitals are still fighting to stay among the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference. Winners of four of their last six games, the Caps enter Thursday's outdoor game sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 43 points, just one point ahead of the New York Rangers, who occupy the last wild-card spot. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are trying to retain their rather tenuous clutch on the top spot in the Central Division. A 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday has them leading the Preds by just one point.

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3. Injury Report: The Capitals might be without one of their most important players, with veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik's status uncertain. Trotz said Orpik has no structural damage in his right knee, which was injured in Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders, and that Orpik will partake in the pregame warm-ups to see how he feels. If Orpik is unable to play, Nate Schmidt would likely draw into the lineup for the Capitals and be paired with John Carlson, with whom he has played previously this season. Heading into Thursday's match, Orpik has played in all 36 games for the Caps this season.

4. Buzz Bust?: There does seem to be a distinctly different feeling heading into this year's annual outdoor game. Though the NHL's signature event has been wildly successful in years past, the hype surrounding Thursday's match seems to be less than that of last season's, which was between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at a frigid Michigan Stadium. Maybe that's because the NHL tested its product's popularity by holding six different outdoor games last season, but most likely it has less to do with saturation and more to do with the teams involved. Whereas previous games have been marketed by a certain level of bad blood and enmity between the teams, this one lacks for drama in that department with no tangible rivalry linking the two clubs. This isn't to say Thursday's match won't live up to expectations -- Nationals Park is sold out, and the markup on the secondary markup is significant -- but the storylines aren't quite as compelling this time around.

5. In Memoriam: The Capitals and Blackhawks will both be honoring former Blackhawks equipment manager Clint Reif, who died Dec. 21 at age 34. The Caps will wear "CR" stickers on their helmets as a nod to Reif, just as the Blackhawks did after his death. Trotz said he called Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to ask permission for his team to make the gesture, and the Blackhawks were gracious in obliging the request. Reif's unexpected death rattled the Blackhawks, who went on to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 in an emotional win last week after learning of the tragedy. Before the game, Quenneville told reporters: "The trainers' fraternity, which is as tight of a fraternity in any field, they all lost a brother today." Reif is survived by his wife and four children. The Blackhawks had a stall reserved in their dressing room for Reif, replete with a name plate and jersey in his honor. Captain  Jonathan Toews said it was the least they could do to show their appreciation for all of his heart and hard work over the years. "He was absolutely a part of this team," Toews said.