The NHL served up a slate of outdoor hockey games this season with the annual Winter Classic along with the new Stadium Series concept and the return of the Heritage Classic.
Stadium Series: A look back at the top outdoor moments in NHL history
The NHL has had some successful games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day along with the three Stadium Series games that included the Anaheim Ducks vs. the Los Angeles Kings at Dodgers Stadium and the Rangers hosting two Stadium Series games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders at Yankee Stadium.
With the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks set to face one another this Saturday night to close out the four-game Stadium Series at Soldier Field in Chicago and the Vancouver Canucks set to host the Ottawa Senators at BC Place in the Heritage Classic on Sunday night, here's a quick look back at the outdoor games that have made up the 2014 NHL schedule.
Jan. 1, 2014: Bozak makes it a Classic for the 'Leafs:
With the Maple Leafs and Red Wings locked in a 2-2 tie at a snowy Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day, the stage was set for some magic as three periods and overtime couldn't provide a winner. Leaf's forward Tyler Bozak, who had already scored in regulation, had the game on his stick in a shootout, and he beat Jimmy Howard to earn the victory for the Maple Leafs.
Jan. 25, 2014: The Ducks pitch a shutout at Dodgers Stadium:
With green grass in the background, the Ducks and Kings took their rivalry to Dodgers Stadium to kick off the NHL Stadium Series. The Ducks scored three goals in the game to provide all the offense they would need. Jonas Hiller made 36 saves to shutout the Kings in front of the Los Angeles fateful.
Jan. 26, 2014: The Blueshirts put on a shooting gallery against Martin Brodeur:
The first hockey game in Yankee Stadium history was a memorable one for the Rangers, but it was a forgettable performance for their cross-river rivals. The Devils jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first period, but the Rangers roared back by scoring six unanswered goals and chasing Martin Brodeur from the game. Mats Zuccarello notched two goals for the Blueshirts while Derek Stepan capped the scoring by beating Cory Schneider on a penalty shot.
Jan. 29, 2014: Rangers go 2-0 at Yankee Stadium by narrowly escaping the Islanders:
Three days after topping the Devils, the Rangers attempted to go 2-0 at Yankee Stadium in a matchup against the Islanders. A second period goal by Brock Nelson gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead until Benoit Pouliot answered right back for the Rangers. Daniel Carcillo notched the game-winner for the Rangers in the third period, and the team hung on to gain the win after a pulse-pounding closing couple of minutes.
The NHL has had four great outdoor games this season, and the final Stadium Series game and the Heritage Classic will prove to be no different when the puck drops at Soldier Field and BC Place this weekend.
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