ST. LOUIS, MO – Since 2008, the NHL outdoor games have provided a fan spectacle which continues to grow in popularity in various settings across multiple markets. Unique due to the immensity of the number of fans who witness these games and being susceptible to the elements, the outdoor games represent a magnificent experience to enjoy the fastest game on ice. And the league continues to refine the experience with each passing year, adding value to the sustained popularity to a successful endeavor.
The 2017 NHL Winter Classic represents the 21st regular-season outdoor NHL game. It follows eight Winter Classics, seven Stadium Series, four Heritage Classics and today’s 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic (Detroit at Toronto).
In addition to hosting this year’s event, the Blues become the 23rd NHL team to participate in a regular-season outdoor game. Only the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes have yet to set skate on outdoor ice.
The Blackhawks will be appearing in their fifth such contest (1-3-0), the most in the League, as well as their third Winter Classic (also 2009 and 2015).
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has scored the most points in NHL regular-season outdoor games (2-4–6 in 4 GP).
The NHL’s 19 regular-season outdoor games to date have drawn a total attendance of 1,054,295 – an average of 55,489 per game. NHL outdoor attendance surpassed the 1-million mark at the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Avalanche and Red Wings at Coors Field in Denver on Feb. 27, 2016.
A total of 591 players and head coaches have participated in the NHL’s 19 regular-season outdoor games to date.
Road teams are 14-4-1 in outdoor games, including a 9-3-0 record since the start of the 2013-14 season.
The first regular-season outdoor game in NHL history took place on Nov. 22, 2003, when the Canadiens defeated the Oilers 4-3 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton in the 2003 NHL Heritage Classic.
The Winter Classic debuted on Jan. 1, 2008, at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., where the Penguins defeated the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout.
The crowd of 105,491 at the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium shattered the NHL’s single-game attendance record of 71,217, set at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the 2008 NHL Winter Classic.
Five of the eight Winter Classics have featured late-game drama: a shootout in 2008 (PITBUF), overtime in 2010 (BOS-PHI), a last-minute, penalty shot save in 2012 (NYR-PHI), a shootout in 2014 (TOR-DET) and a last-minute game-winning goal in 2015 (WSH-CHI).
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