The NHL Winter Classic returns to Fenway Park for the first time in over a decade on Monday [2 January 2023], with the Boston Bruins hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at the iconic home of the Boston Red Sox.
Here are all the key details you need to know about the event.
2023 NHL Winter Classic: Game Details
- Start Time: 19:00 (GMT)
- Location: Fenway Park, Boston (MA)
- Broadcaster: ViaPlay
Boston Bruins relishing opportunity ahead of 2023 NHL Winter Classic
The Bruins have made a tremendous start to the season (28-4-4) and sit top of the table as a result. They are yet to lose in regulation time on home ice, which means they can tie their franchise record for a season-opening home point streak (19 games) at Fenway Park.
The Bruins fell to a 4-3 overtime defeat in their final fixture before the 2023 NHL Winter Classic, but are optimistic they will be able to find a response versus the Penguins.
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“I think we’ll put this away pretty quick and start focusing on the great event that’s coming,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “The Winter Classic is like the Super Bowl of hockey in the regular season, and it’s a great time, it’s a great event, it’s a special event, and it’s going to be at Fenway. So, I think our minds are going to go there pretty quick, and [we’ll] get excited about [the] Winter Classic.”
Boston’s player to watch is 37-year-old Patrice Bergeron, who is set to appear in the fifth outdoor game of his career.
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins (Image: NHL)
“It means a lot,” Bergeron, who featured in the 2010 NHL Winter Classic at Fenway, said. “First one was at Fenway. To do it twice is pretty special. To do it in Boston means a lot. It’s a city that means a lot to me, and it’s a fun event, so looking forward to it.”
The Quebec-born forward has already recorded 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) on the season and has been an integral part of the Bruins’ surprisingly hot start to the campaign. If afforded space and time on the puck, he will hurt the Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins aim to snap four-game skid in 2023 NHL Winter Classic
The Penguins find themselves in an intense battle for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. They have made a streaky start to the season (19-11-6), with wins and losses arriving in bunches for the squad headlined by Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins, who are tied on points with the New York Islanders and New York Rangers for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, have lost each of their last four games and need a result at Fenway Park.
“This is a lifetime experience for our guys,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said following a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Friday [30 December]. “I think we need to see that for what it is and embrace that moment and enjoy that moment. We also need to understand that there’s business at hand and there’s two points on the line.
“When that puck drops, we need to be ready to play. So, I think this is an unbelievable opportunity. It’s a great privilege for all of us to be part of something like this. I think we should embrace it and I think we should enjoy this moment.”
Crosby leads the Penguins in goals (19), assists (24) and points (43) on the season. The 35-year-old is still the beating heart of Pittsburgh’s squad and will be their player to watch in the 2023 NHL Winter Classic.
If Crosby produces a dominant performance at Fenway Park, it won’t be the first time he has stolen the headlines in an outdoor event. The Canadian scored the decisive penalty shoot in the NHL’s first Winter Classic, helping the Penguins overcome the Buffalo Sabres.
#NHL100 Time Capsule: the 1st #WinterClassic, Crosby scored the final shootout goal to lead the @Penguins to victory over the @BuffaloSabres pic.twitter.com/TPArvKWMy1
— NHL (@NHL) January 2, 2017
Will he repeat the trick versus the Bruins?
NHL 2023 Winter Classic: Jersey Details
Boston and Pittsburgh will wear special uniforms for the 2023 NHL Winter Classic, with the league’s jersey provider – Adidas – providing unique threads for both squads.
2023 Winter Classic Jerseys (Image: NHL)
The Bruins will wear a jersey that features the franchise’s secondary logo, thick golden stripes, and a ‘BOSTON’ wordmark. The Penguins will also sport a look inspired by their storied history, with the ‘P’ crest borrowed from the now-defunct Pittsburgh Pirates.
Are you excited about the 2023 NHL Winter Classic? Join the discussion by tweeting @BritIceHockey.
