It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the 2008 Winter Classic, but here we are. As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to take part in their second outdoor NHL game, with puck drop set for 1 pm at Citi Field against the NY Rangers, it’s time for a quick look back.
Though the 2008 Winter Classic wasn’t the NHL’s first outdoor game, it was the first so-called “Winter Classic” and set off a line of subsequent outdoor games. Since January 1, 2008, there have been 21 outdoor NHL games, including Winter Classics, Stadium Series games, the NHL 100 Classic, Heritage Classics and the Centennial Classic.