On New Year’s Eve, the Chicago Blackhawks will welcome the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Stadium for what is set to be one of the biggest Winter Classics in NHL history. The game, announced in February, is a rematch of the 2017 NHL Winter Classic when the Blues defeated the visiting Blackhawks. Wrigley Stadium will also be hosting its second-ever Classic, the first being in 2009 when the Detroit Wings overturned a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Blackhawks 6-4 in front of a packed crowd.
As hockey fans prepare to watch this year’s game, here’s a look back at some of the greatest Winter Classic games in recent memory.
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins
It’s always “must-see” TV when two of the most historic franchises in the league meet, and the 2016 Winter Classic was no exception. The Bruins welcomed the Canadiens to Gillette Stadium, home of football team New England Patriots.
The game ended up one-sided as the Canadiens ran through their opponents 5-1, to the dismay of many home fans. Early goals from David Desharnais and Paul Byron in the first quarter put Montreal in front before Brendan Gallagher added a quick second-quarter-goal in his first game since returning from a head injury. Boston responded with a Matt Beleskey early in the third, but Max Pacioretty and Byron secured a memorable victory for the visitors.
Montreal’s 5-1 win over Boston remains the biggest scoreline in NHL Winter Classic history. It may not be the most contested affair, but it is one for the books.
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Alex Ovechkin (2004) and Sidney Crosby (2005) were selected No. 1 overall in their respective NHL Draft Classes. They had developed into superstars when their teams faced off in the fourth edition of the Winter Classic. The 2004/2005 lockout meant both players entered the league the same season, sparking some rivalry between the two teams, which had already been brewing since the 90s. That was enough to set the stage for an exciting game, which eventually lived up to the hype.
The game was delayed for seven hours due to weather concerns, but the fans in attendance eventually got their money’s worth. The first quarter was scoreless but entertaining, with both sides creating multiple chances. Pittsburgh eventually drew first blood two minutes into the second quarter, thanks to Evgeni Malkin, but the lead was short-lived. Mike Knuble got the equalizer for the visitors for minutes I,n and Eric Fehr added another late in the quarter to give Washington the lead.
The Penguins got multiple chances to score in the third but were denied by goalie Semyon Varlamov, who made 32 total saves in the game. Fehr added his second of the night late in the third quarter to secure a well-deserved 3-1 win for the Capitals.
Boston Bruins vs Chicago Blackhawks
This event featured two familiar franchises, the Blackhawks and the Bruins, making their fourth and third appearances at the Winter Classic. The year marked the first time the Winter Classic was held outside of any of the team’s local areas as the NHL opted for Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. It was also the Bruins’s first Winter Classic as the visiting team, with the NHL awarding host status to Chicago due to its proximity to Notre Dame.
The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first two quarters. Chicago opened the scoring courtesy of Brendan Perlini’s goal in the 8th minute, but Boston drew level after David Pastrnak received a great pass from Patrice Bergeron in the 12th minute. The second quarter followed a similar storyline, with the Blackhawks retaking the lead in the 11th minute through Dominik Kahun, but Boston equalized again via Patrice Bergeron.
It was all Boston ball in the third quarter, though. Sean Kuraly gave the visitors their first lead of the match before Brad Marchand struck into an empty net to provide the Bruins with a 4-2 win.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings
Everything about this one was perfect: the atmosphere, the weather, the scoreline, name it. It was the first time American and Canadian teams faced off in an outdoor hockey event, and the buzz was through the roof.
The stage was set in Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the US and home of the college football team Michigan Wolverines. The Big House, as it is nicknamed, hosted a whopping 105,000 hockey fans, surpassing the previous record set by the 2008 Winter Classic. It also set the record for the most combined NHL regular season viewership in history, with more than 8 million fans in the US and Canada tuning in.
The fans were not disappointed as the game lived up to its hype. After a scoreless first quarter, Daniel Alfredsson gave Detroit the lead before James van Riemsdyk gave the visitors a much-needed equalizer to end the second quarter. Toronto’s Tyler Bozak put his team in front early in the third, but Justin Abdelkader leveled the scoring to send the game to overtime.
The score remained tied, and the game was eventually settled in a shootout, with the Maple Leafs coming out on top.
Winter Classic 2025
Chicago hopes to avenge their 2017 loss to St. Louis when the two teams face off on December 31. Both teams have struggled this season and currently find themselves outside the playoff spot, with plenty of games to play.
As the 2025 Winter Classic draws near, American bettors who intend to place bets can find TrustnBet’s Betting 101 section helpful. This site offers insights into different aspects of betting markets, including how you can read betting odds and place the right bets on your favorite sports teams.
The Blues have the better record this season and are considered favorites to win this matchup. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, will have a crowd of supporters to cheer them on as they host one of the biggest games of the season.