2023 NHL Winter Classic explained

Outdoor:yes
Game Name:2023 NHL Winter Classic
Visitor:Pittsburgh Penguins
Home:Boston Bruins
Visitor Per1:0
Visitor Per2:1
Visitor Per3:0
Home Per1:0
Home Per2:0
Home Per3:2
Attendance:39,243[1]
Date:January 2, 2023
Arena:Fenway Park
City:Boston, Massachusetts
Previous:2022
Next:2024

The 2023 NHL Winter Classic was an outdoor ice hockey game played in the National Hockey League (NHL) on January 2, 2023, at Fenway Park in Boston. The 14th edition of the Winter Classic, it matched the Boston Bruins against the Pittsburgh Penguins; the Bruins won 2–1.

Background

On February 4, 2022, the NHL announced that the 2023 NHL Winter Classic would take place at Fenway Park, hosted by the Boston Bruins.[2] Fenway Park became the first venue to host two Winter Classics, having previously hosted the 2010 NHL Winter Classic.[3]

ESPN reported in February 2022 that the Pittsburgh Penguins would likely be the opponent after Fenway Sports Group, owner of Fenway Park, took over majority control of the Penguins in December 2021.[4] The league confirmed that it would be the Penguins on April 13.[5]

The NHL moved the Winter Classic to Monday, January 2, as it had in 2012 and 2017, declining to hold the event on a Sunday.[5] In addition, the game returned to its customary afternoon start time (2 p.m. EST).[6]

Game summary

Scoring summary
PeriodTeamGoalAssist(s)TimeScore
1stNo scoring
2ndalign=center PITalign=center Kasperi Kapanen (6)align=center Danton Heinen (8), Jeff Carter (12)align=center 8:40align=center 1–0 PIT
3rdalign=center BOSalign=center Jake DeBrusk (15)align=center Brad Marchand (21), Matt Grzelcyk (9)align=center 7:46align=center 1–1
align=center BOSalign=center Jake DeBrusk (16)align=center Taylor Hall (15), David Krejci (18)align=center 17:36align=center 1–2 BOS

Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season

Penalty summary
PeriodTeamPlayerPenaltyTimePIM
1stalign=center PITalign=center Teddy Bluegeralign=center Boardingalign=center 17:33align=center 2:00
2ndalign=center PITalign=center Pierre-Olivier Josephalign=center Interferencealign=center 2:24align=center 2:00
align=center BOSalign=center David Pastrnakalign=center Holdingalign=center 2:24align=center 2:00
align=center BOSalign=center Hampus Lindholmalign=center High-stickingalign=center 4:38align=center 2:00
3rdalign=center BOSalign=center Matt Grzelcykalign=center Trippingalign=center 1:11align=center 2:00
align=center PITalign=center Brian Dumoulinalign=center Trippingalign=center 5:40align=center 2:00
Shots by period
Team123Total
PIT align=center 14 align=center 6 align=center 7 align=center 27
BOS align=center 10 align=center 9 align=center 10 align=center 29
Power play opportunities
TeamGoals/Opportunities
Pittsburgh 0/3
Boston 0/3
Three star selections
TeamPlayerStatistics
1stBOSJake DeBrusk2 goals
2ndPITKasperi Kapanen1 goal
3rdBOSLinus Ullmark26 saves

Team rosters

Pittsburgh Penguins[7]
PlayerPosition
1align=left Casey DeSmithG
2align=left Chad RuhwedelD
8align=left Brian Dumoulin (A)D
16align=left Jason ZuckerLW
17align=left Bryan RustRW
23align=left Brock McGinnLW
24align=left Ty SmithD
28align=left Marcus PetterssonD
35align=left Tristan JarryG
42align=left Kasperi KapanenRW
43align=left Danton HeinenLW/RW
44align=left Jan RuttaD
52align=left Mark FriedmanD
53align=left Teddy BluegerC
59align=left Jake GuentzelLW
67align=left Rickard RakellLW/RW
71align=left Evgeni Malkin (A)C
73align=left Pierre-Olivier JosephD
77align=left Jeff CarterC/RW
87align=left Sidney Crosby (C)C
Head coach: Mike Sullivan
Boston Bruins
PlayerPosition
1align=left Jeremy SwaymanG
11align=left Trent FredericC
12align=left Craig SmithRW
13align=left Charlie CoyleC
17align=left Nick FolignoLW
18align=left Pavel ZachaC
25align=left Brandon CarloD
27align=left Hampus LindholmD
28align=left Derek ForbortD
35align=left Linus UllmarkG
37align=left Patrice Bergeron (C)C
46align=left David Krejci (A)C
48align=left Matt GrzelcykD
63align=left Brad Marchand (A)LW
71align=left Taylor HallLW
73align=left Charlie McAvoyD
74align=left Jake DeBruskLW
75align=left Connor CliftonD
88align=left RW
92align=left Tomas NosekC
Head coach: Jim Montgomery

Entertainment

Bell Biv DeVoe, accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra, performed the national anthem while the Black Keys performed during the first intermission. Following the anthem, a ceremonial "puck pitch" was done by Red Sox alumni players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield along with Boston Bruins alumni Johnny Bucyk, Zdeno Chara, and Bobby Orr. The Boston Pops also served as the house band during the game. Country music artist Sam Hunt performed during pregame.

Broadcasting

The game was broadcast by TNT in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada.[5] Warner Bros. Discovery Sports reported that the game was the most-watched regular season hockey game of all-time on cable in the United States, averaging 1.8 million viewers throughout the broadcast and peaking at 2.1 million viewers toward the end of the game.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: January 2, 2023 . Game Summary - 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic - Monday, January 2, 2023 . January 3, 2023 . National Hockey League.
  2. Web site: 2023 NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, Bruins opponent not announced . NHL.com . NHL . February 4, 2023.
  3. Web site: Boston Bruins to host 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Sportsnet.ca . Sportsnet . February 4, 2023.
  4. Web site: Fenway Park to host Boston Bruins in NHL's 2023 Winter Classic. ESPN . February 4, 2023.
  5. Web site: 2023 Winter Classic will pit Penguins against Bruins on Jan. 2. NHL.com . NHL . April 13, 2022.
  6. Web site: 'Ideal' rink, weather expected for 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic. NHL.com . NHL . December 31, 2022.
  7. Web site: January 2, 2023 . Club Playing Roster - 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic - Monday, January 2, 2023 . January 3, 2023 . National Hockey League.
  8. 1610756791960277001 . WBDSportsPR . @NHL_On_TNT 's exclusive U.S. presentation of the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic is the most-watched NHL regular season game of all-time on cable. More on the big day of across WBD Sports' platforms . Warner Bros. Discovery Sports U.S. PR . Warner Bros. Discovery Sports . January 4, 2023 . January 4, 2023.