Pittsburgh is making a strong push to play host to the NHL?s next Winter Classic on Jan. 1, matching the Penguins? Sidney Crosby and the Capitals? Alex Ovechkin at Heinz Field. The Penguins played in the first Winter Classic played on U.S. ice in Buffalo in 2008, but the Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry has become so big that the NHL is believed to be favoring a second Penguins appearance in four years. A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Sunday that Pittsburgh is in a strong position to be chosen as the host.