5 Things to Know for the Blackhawks-Blues Winter Classic
Teams have opposite Winter Classic records
The Blackhawks have yet to win a Winter Classic game, while the Blues have yet to lose one. For Chicago, this marks the third time the Blackhawks have hosted the Winter Classic and the fifth time they’ve participated in it overall, breaking a tie with the Boston Bruins for most Winter Classic appearances. While faring well in terms of appearances, the Blackhawks have not fared well in terms of results. They’re 0-4 so far in the Winter Classic.
Connor Bedard
Teenage phenom Connor Bedard has quickly emerged as the face of the franchise for a rebuilding Blackhawks squad and is one of the NHL’s brightest young talents. His rise to stardom and dynamic play make him a natural drawing point for this season’s Winter Classic. The 19-year-old center, drafted first overall in 2024, has lived up to the hype, tallying 92 points in 104 games, just shy of the elusive point-per-game pace. Bedard also enters Tuesday’s matchup on a four-game point streak.
Alex Vlasic hometown special
The Winter Classic is special for all players, but Tuesday’s is especially meaningful for Blackhawks fourth-year defenseman Alex Vlasic. Vlasic is from north suburban Wilmette, and he attended Cubs games growing up. Now, the 23-year-old gets to take the ice at Wrigley Field as an NHL player. "After being here so many times for baseball games, I think it will be cool for my parents to be able to come here to watch me play hockey," Vlasic wrote in a Winter Classic blog for NHL.com. "It’s such a cool atmosphere and really special to be able to play there and have all the fans all around you in a stadium that you aren’t used to playing at."
Weather
Tuesday morning has started off rainy in Chicago, with some snow expected to be mixed in, but it looks like things should clear up in plenty of time to get the ice ready for 4 p.m. puck drop, as the weather system moves east. It won’t be especially cold, with temps hovering around 40 or so, but with conditions likely to be dry by the late afternoon hours, conditions should be OK for hockey. There will, however, be winds off the lake up to around 25 miles per hour, adding a brisk element to the hockey atmosphere.
Celebrations
There’s all sorts of stuff happening Tuesday in and around Wrigley Field. The NHL is holding an outdoor fan festival from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1126 West Grace Street. Then, Chicago-formed alternative rock group "The Smashing Pumpkins" will kickstart on-field pregame festivities with performances before and during player introductions. Grammy Award-winning artist and Chicago native Chance The Rapper will also headline a first-intermission live music performance. Pregame ceremonies will consist of team introductions, a Star-Spangled Banner performance, a flyover, and a ceremonial puck drop involving Blackhawks alumni Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, and Denis Savard. During the second intermission, the NHL plans to honor the Blackhawks’ and Blues’ first and second quarter-century teams, honoring their best players from the past 25 years of the 21st century.
Conclusion
The 2024 Winter Classic is a highly anticipated matchup between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks, with the puck dropping at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at Wrigley Field. With the teams having opposite records in the Winter Classic, this game promises to be an exciting and intense battle. Don’t miss out on the festivities, including the outdoor fan festival, live music performances, and pregame ceremonies. Be sure to check out the full weather forecast and tune in to the live TV broadcast on TNT, truTV, and Max for an unforgettable Winter Classic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the timing of the game?
- Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
- Where is the game being held?
- The game is being held at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
- How can I watch the game?
- The game will be broadcast live on TNT, truTV, and Max.
- What are the weather conditions expected to be like?
- Temperatures are expected to hover around 40, with a chance of rain and snow in the morning, but clearing up by the late afternoon. There will be winds off the lake up to around 25 miles per hour.
