Every year, the National Hockey League (NHL) takes hockey back to its roots by going outdoors. These games take place in football and baseball stadiums, giving players an experience they won’t forget. This special outdoor game is called the Winter Classic. 

In previous years, the Winter Classic has been held in Seattle, Boston, and Minneapolis, just to name a few. The Winter Classic will take place at Wrigley Field, in Chicago, between the Chicago Blackhawks, and the St. Louis Blues. This will be the 16th Winter Classic to be played. 

For the Winter Classic, teams that have a rich history, and a long standing rivalry, are picked to play in these games. The Blackhawks and the Blues check both of those boxes. The Blackhawks were established in 1926 and are part of the original six teams. The Blues are younger, being around for 57 years, but the rivalry between these teams is one of the best in the sport.

This will be the first time these teams play each other this season. Both teams are playing under new coaches, which means new systems and styles of play than what they’re used to. 

The NHL is broken up into two conferences. The eastern conference, and the western conference. Each conference has two divisions. In the Eastern Conference, there is the Metropolitan Division and the Atlantic Division. In the Western Conference, there are the Central and Pacific Divisions. The Blackhawks and the Blues are both in the Central Division.

Because the Blues are a few games out of a wildcard spot, this game, and the games leading up to it could be a deciding factor on if they make the playoffs or not. The Blackhawks, being at the bottom of the league standings and well out of a playoff spot, could help spoil St. Louis’s chances at a playoff appearance.