The Chicago Blackhawks are back in the outdoor Winter Classic after a five-year absence and they’re playing at the site of their first appearance.
Wrigley Field hosted the NHL’s second Winter Classic in 2009, and the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will play at the Chicago Cubs’ stadium Tuesday on New Year’s Eve (5 p.m. ET, TNT).
The Blackhawks had made four previous appearances in the annual outdoor game as one of the NHL’s top franchises with Stanley Cup wins in 2010, 2013 and 2015. But they have fallen on hard times recently and the rebuilding team has one playoff appearance since 2017.
The draw this year is Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft and last season’s rookie of the year.
The Blues will be making their third appearance and beat the Blackhawks in the 2017 game at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium.
What to know about the Winter Classic:
What time is Blackhawks vs. Blues Winter Classic?
The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will play at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. local time) on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The game is usually played on New Year’s Day but there are three College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Jan. 1.
What channel is Blackhawks vs. Blues Winter Classic?
The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT and truTV. A pregame show will air at 4 p.m. ET.
How to stream Blackhawks vs. Blues Winter Classic
The game can be streamed on Sling and on Max.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Winter Classic: Time, TV, streaming for Tuesday
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Time: 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. local)
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Streaming: Sling, Max
- Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago)
Winter Classic weather forecast
There could be snow showers leading up to the game. The forecast calls for 38 degrees and cloudy at the start of the game, with temperatures dropping to 35.
How have the Blackhawks and Blues fared in outdoor games?
The Blackhawks are 0-4 in the Winter Classic (2009, 2015, 2017 and 2019) and 1-1 in Stadium Series games. The Blues are 2-0 in the Winter Classic (2017, 2022), their only outdoor games.
Winter Classic players to watch
Chicago’s Connor Bedard: He was voted the top rookie of 2023-24 after recording 61 points in 68 games. He got off to a slow start this season but has 17 points in his last 16 games and a team-best 32 points.
St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou: The forward had two goals and two assists in the Blues’ 2022 Winter Classic win in Minnesota, a record output. The record for most career points in a Winter Classic is seven. Kyrou is the Blues’ leading scorer with 31 points.
St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington: He will be one of Team Canada’s goalies during the 4 Nations Face-Off. He stopped 29 of 33 shots to win the 2022 game.
Winter Classic coaches are in-season replacements
Neither coach was behind their respective bench at the start of the season. Chicago interim coach Anders Sorensen, the NHL’s first Swedish-born head coach, replaced Luke Richardson on Dec. 5. The Blues hired Jim Montgomery on Nov. 24 to replace Drew Bannister. Montgomery had been fired by the Boston Bruins five days earlier. It’s the first time the Winter Classic has featured two in-season replacement coaches.
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