The Winter Classic returns to Wrigley Field for the first time since 2009, just four years after the birth of Blackhawks star Connor Bedard.
Now, all eyes will be on the 19-year-old star as he and his teammates host the St. Louis Blues on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
Fans who want to watch this NHL game can do so on TNT/truTV/Max for free by using DirecTV Streamthat offers a free trial or with SlingTVwhich does not offer a free trial but has promotional offers available. Max has plans starting at just $9.99 per month and includes movies, original series and more.
Who: Blackhawks vs. blues
when/where: Wrigley Field, 5:00 PM ET, December 31, 2024
current:Sling; DirecTV Stream; MAX
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MAX offers a wide variety of content from Warner Bros. Discovery, including movies, shows, documentaries and live sports. Plans start at $9.99 per month.
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Bedard takes center stage when the Blackhawks take on the Blues in the Winter Classic
By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) – Connor Bedard practiced with the Chicago Blackhawks in the middle of Wrigley Field. He skated with his parents and sister.
The moment was not lost on the 19-year-old center.
“It’s one of the most exciting experiences of my life so far,” Bedard said, “and obviously the game hasn’t started yet. So I’m looking forward to it.”
The wait ends on Tuesday, when the Blackhawks face the St. Louis Blues in the 16th edition of the Winter Classic. It is the second return for Wrigley after the home of baseball’s Chicago Cubs also hosted the game in 2009, and is the first rematch in the event’s history.
Bedard is playing in his first showcase game since being drafted by Chicago with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He was selected to the All-Star Game as a rookie, but was left out for a fractured jaw.
He is by far the most famous player in a largely anonymous Winter Classic. Although he’s used to the spotlight now, Bedard was watched closely during his first season in the NHL, he realizes all the ways this game is different.
“Playing away, playing at Wrigley here and getting that different experience, that’s what I’m excited about,” he said Monday. “It’s not really about the people coming up, but that’s obviously great for us. Having more people in the crowd, it’s going to be an exciting atmosphere.”
Bedard’s arrival in the Winter Classic is also the first outdoor game in the NHL between two teams that made a coaching change during the season.
St. St. Louis is 8-5-3 since Jim Montgomery replaced Drew Bannister on Nov. 24. Montgomery was out of work for five days after being fired 20 games into his third season with the Boston Bruins.
“He brings great energy to the locker room,” said goaltender Jordan Binnington, who wears a Winter Classic mask that has sketches of former St. Louis Cardinals stars Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright.
Montgomery, 55, has some experience with outdoor games. He coached the Bruins to a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh in the 2023 Winter Classic at Boston’s Fenway Park.
Montgomery also has some players who know a thing or two about playing outdoors. Jordan Kyrou had two goals and two assists in a 6-4 win at Target Field in Minnesota in the 2022 Winter Classic. The St. Louis Brandon Saad is playing in his sixth outdoor game, including three with Chicago.
Kyrou’s first outdoor NHL game was cold. The forecast for Tuesday is for temperatures in the 30s, but rain is a concern.
“It’s a pretty incredible stadium,” Kyrou said after the Blues practiced at Wrigley. “I’m sure tomorrow it will be very full and there will be a crazy atmosphere. So we’re all looking forward to it.”
Chicago is playing outdoors for an NHL-record seventh time. Lost 4-1 against St. Louis in the 2017 Winter Classic at Busch Stadium.
But it’s also the first outdoor game for the Blackhawks since 2019, a sign of tough times ahead for the franchise after a long run that included three Stanley Cup titles.
Chicago is 4-7-0 under interim coach Anders Sorensen, who replaced the fired Luke Richardson on Dec. 5. He heads into the Winter Classic on a four-game losing streak.
“I think the biggest thing we talked about today was just, hey, the result of the last couple of games is not what we want, but we try to enjoy where we are now, and then take it for the experience and enjoy -ne”, Sorensen. he said “And then we’ll put our best foot forward tomorrow.”
While the Blackhawks continue to struggle, Bedard has found his form since the coaching change. After a 12-game scoring drought, he has seven goals and 10 assists in his last 16 games.
“I don’t know if I ran,” Bedard said. “I’m obviously playing decent and you have a bit of a stretch. That’s more who I am as a player. It’s about how much I’m creating and how many plays I’m making, and I feel like I’ve done pretty well.”
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
The Associated Press contributed to this article