Hockey Night in Canada hosts NHL Winter Classic

The NHL will ring in the new year with its sixth Winter Classicandthis year isset to be the biggest one yet.

A potential record breaking crowd of more than 107,000 fans will pack "The Big House," (Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan) on Wednesdayto watch an Original Six matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs (CBC, CBCSports.ca,12:30 p.m. ET).

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada will kickoff its two day coverageon Tuesday (1 p.m. ET)by treating viewers to two Alumni games at Detroit'sComericaPark, featuringlegendary playersfrom both historic franchises.

Viewers can also head to CBCSports.cafor live streaming.Feel free to join the conversation on Twitter@hockeynight, Instagramat #WinterClassic, Facebook andPinterest.

On New Year's day, Canadianscan tune into to CBC's exclusive national coverage to joinhost Ron MacLeanand the Studio 42 team featuring P.J. Stock, Elliott Friedman, Kevin Weekes, and Andi Petrillo.Don Cherry joins MacLeanduring the first intermission for Coach's Corner.

Jim Hughson will handleplay-by-play duties and analyst Craig Simpson joins him in the broadcast booth.

Viewers who tune in early(12 p.m. ET) can catch a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentaryDefending Gold: The Making of Team Canada, which chronicles the difficult process faced by Team Canada general manager Steve Yzermanin narrowing down the country's extensive list of stars to the chosen few who will represent Canada at the Olympics inSochi 2014.

Canada's next great hockey song will also be revealed during the Winter Classic coverage.The winning artistwill get the opportunity to record their song in studio with Canadian rocker Joel Plaskett and it will be featured in a pregame montage on Hockey Night in Canada.The winnerwill also play their song live as a part of a Hockey Day in Canada concert.

Following the Winter Classic a second specialRoad to the Olympics, hosted by Scott Russell, gives viewers a sneak peak at what to expect from Canadian athletes at the Olympics in Sochi. Sidney Crosby,Kaillie Humphriesand Alexandre Bilodeau will be profiled as they look to repeat as gold medallists after impressive showings in Vancouver. Commentators and analysts will also discuss medal hopefuls like Patrick Chan, KayaTurski and Mark McMorris.

An Olympic-inspired version of Maestro Fresh Wes' song "Reach for the Sky" will be unveiled duringRoad to the Olympics.The song will be heard during coverage of Sochi 2014.