For any NHL betting fan growing up in a cold climate, hockey was always associated with the icy outdoors. Maybe you played with your buddies on a pond; maybe your dad used a hose to build your own backyard rink; maybe you just played ball hockey and enjoyed checking your little brother face-first into a dirty snowbank. The bottom line is that hockey was born outdoors and, in a lot of ways, meant to be played outdoors.
So why the hell did it take the NHL so long to send its players back outside?
Well, online sports betting fans and winter fans alike have plenty to be excited about, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day in the NHL Winter Classic. While asking to see guys get decked into the ivy of the Friendly confines is too much to ask, I’m not complaining – two original six teams, both of whom are dominant, clash outside in Chi-Town’s windy conditions.
Before I tell you which team is the best choice for those who bet online, let’s look at the (short) history of the NHL Winter Classic. Maybe we’ll find some useful trends for NHL betting fans.
NHL Heritage Classic (Nov. 22, 2003): Montreal 4, Edmonton 3
It isn’t part of the official Winter Classic brand, but I’m sure the outdoor-professional-hockey-game-police will let this one slide. After all, this was the game that started the tradition. The Oilers hosted the Habs in front of 57,000-plus fans on a frigid day at Commonwealth Stadium that left the players scrambling to cram ski hats under their helmets. The best part of the day: the old-timers game, which featured legends from both squads, including Gretzky, Messier and Lafleur.
The Oiler legends ground out a tough 2-0 win against the Habs; hardly a typical score from the heyday of either team (Messier jokingly called it a “typical Oilers win”). NHL betting fans who bet online (wait, did they have the Internet in 2003? My sources say “probably.”) that the modern-day Oilers would ride the crowd to victory, however, were disappointed. Richard Zednik (remember him?) potted a pair as the Habs eked out a 4-3 win.
2008 NHL Winter Classic (Jan. 1, 2008): Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 1 (SO)
Outdoor hockey returned in style last year, with flashy Sidney Crosby and the Penguins travelling to trashy Buffalo. While the roughly 71,000 fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium were happy (well, as happy as Buffalonians can be), both teams’ offenses sputtered in the tough conditions. Crosby saved online sports betting fans, most of whom bet online on the powerhouse Pens, by potting the game winner in a shootout.
Another outdoor game, another success. Also, the road team won again. Keep reading, NHL betting fans.
2009 NHL Winter Classic (Jan. 1, 2009): Detroit at Chicago
On paper, the 2009 Winter Classic line looks like most exciting one yet. The Wings and Hawks are partying like it’s the Original-Six days, with a combined record of 43-13-12 through Dec. 29. The Hawks in particular are hotter than dance reality shows, having won a franchise-record nine straight games through Monday.
There’s plenty to like about this Hawks team. Emerging stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews lead a high-octane offense that blends speed and physicality; the blueline is a stable of thoroughbreds, featuring Brian Campbell, Duncan Keith and Cam Barker; and the goalie tandem of Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet is as good as it needs to be.
But the Hawks still won’t win the NHL Winter Classic.
Why? For one, it’s hard to bet against the Wings, who are still the dominant defending Stanley Cup Champions. They also won the first two meetings with the Hawks this season. Yeah, they’ve stumbled a bit lately, but goaltending has a lot to do with that. While Ty Conklin won’t have a cabinet full of Vezina Trophies when he calls it a career, he’s a capable backup who can excel when given many starts in a row. With Chris Osgood’s groin on the mend, Conklin is playing a lot. He should find a rhythm soon.
Most importantly, NHL betting fans should note that the home team in an outdoor game has far more distraction and pressure, from the hoop-la surrounding the setup of the game to the massive crowd. While teams theoretically can feed off that atmosphere, it hasn’t happened yet. We’re still waiting to see a host team win an outdoor NHL game. The young Hawks may not be ready to do that. And the savvy, experienced Wings will probably relish the opportunity to win yet another big game.
Above all, just enjoy what should be an exciting matchup. But if you bet online on the Red Wings vs Blackhawks line, remember the short history of the Winter Classic. Also, if you’re picking the NHL Winter Classic over/under, remember that outdoor games aren’t usually scoring frenzies. Happy New Year!