They do pick the same teams, it’s the same way that NBC picks their Sunday game. Buffalo was a guinea pig in the very first Winter Classic. Montreal might get a shot next year, I’ve heard rumors that it will be Boston vs Montreal.
But, let’s face it, most of the other NHL teams will never be in the Winter Classic. You can pretty much count on each Winter Classic featuring Boston, Chicago, Detroit, NY Rangers, Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
I usually watch on TV. As a STH for the Caps this will be the second Winter Classic that I’ve had tickets for but I’ll be warm in my recliner while other family members watch in the cold. I didn’t attend the one in Pittsburgh either.
It is impossible to know who will be having a good season at the decision point on the game. They have to play the odds and hope for the best. NBC probably would veto the Panthers vs the Wild.
I doubt it would be feasible to (or practical), to have a northern team host a southern, or western team (Such as the Kings, or the Ducks). What about Winnipeg?
If they could do it years from now, I’d LOVE to see an outdoor game between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. If only for the blood.
The Kings vs the Blackhawks would have been a good choice , with 4 cups in recent years between both teams. Probably would have to be held in Chicago as the NHL wouldn’t want to compete with the college football playoffs. They’ve already been to Wrigley, Soldier Field wouldn’t work as there is no way to know in advance of the Bears may have had a playoff game (Yes, they stunk this year but it wasn’t out of the question 6 months ago), New Comiskey park has zero charm.
Winnipeg might get a Heritage Classic but it’ll never see the Winter Classic. Although , I’d like to see the Florida Panthers play outside in Winnipeg in freezing cold just for the novelty. And, both teams have been respectable this year
Well that and an outdoor ice rink isn’t all that practical in LA.
I’m kind of surprised that it draws any interest from the host city fans. You see it on TV, “Oh, cool, an outdoor rink, sunshine and everything!” Then the camera draws back and you see that the closest fans are 50 yards away.
That said, it was a damn fine game this year. Good ice, good play, exciting finish.
They did it last year. It’s more of the start time as an issue .
Closest fans: is that much different than an NFL game?
“My” seats were by the left field foul pole. Family members who used them said they spent a lot of time watching the video board. Still, they had no regrets and said the atmosphere there was amazing. It was warm in my recliner.
Sounds like Winterpeg gets a winter classic next year.
I wonder who the competition will be. It’s gotta be a US team: Chicago perhaps? Minnesota?
They’ll get the Heritage Classic, and not THE Winter Classic. I’d guess another Canadian team, or maybe the Coyotes if they feel like being interesting. But that would be a hard one to market.
I think Winter Classic will be at Fenway, Boston vs MTL
Montreal and Boston at Fenway would be unimaginably huge.
I would love to see that.
Leafs have fired Carlyle. I don’t understand the timing. I guess I don’t understand much that the Leafs do.
They manage to get outshot 2-1 in pretty much every game. I hope this change will help fix this.
Semyon Varlamov had 54 saves versus the Blackhawks, an NHL regular season record. His teammates should not be happy that they allowed that many shots.
Well shit. Jimmy Howard being taken off on a stretcher in agony with some leg/knee thing two minutes into a game. Doesn’t look good at all.
Preach
A hockey thread ought to appreciate this.
Ouch!
That is too funny.