A new year is approaching, which means it's almost time for the 2023 Winter Classic.
The NHL's marquee outdoor event is coming back to Boston for a showdown between the Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins at Fenway Park.
It's a matchup between two of the most successful pro hockey franchises this century, with numerous Stanley Cup champions and future Hall of Famers on both sides.
Ranking every Bruins jersey from Winter Classic, NHL Outdoor games
Former NHL player and Milton, Mass., native Keith Yandle didn't play in an outdoor game during his 16-year career, but he'll be attending Monday's event as a member of TNT's NHL coverage.
"Growing up in Boston and being a Red Sox fan and Bruins fan, and just a sports fan in general, going to a game, especially a venue as special as Fenway Park and seeing the best hockey players in the world -- Hall of Famers on both sides and guys who know how to win, I think it's going to be an amazing game," Yandle told NBC Sports Boston on a Zoom call Wednesday.
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There are few, if any, stadiums in all of sports as old and iconic as Fenway Park. The home of the Boston Red Sox has as much history as any sporting venue, and after hosting the 2010 Winter Classic with great success, this year's event should be just as picturesque.
"I can't think of a place that would be any better to have it," Yandle said. "They've done it there before. It's been a home run.
"Having teams come in there, they've done high school and college games. My brother is a Boston Police (officer), and they played the Boston Fire Department on it a couple years ago. It's just something guys like that will talk about for the rest of their lives. And not just for the NHL and college guys, they put the rink up for people around the community, so I think it's a cool thing that they do for everyone to enjoy."
Yandle's advice for players in these outdoor games is to savor the moments and the scenery as much as possible because it's such a unique and special experience.
"I think the pressure is a little bit on the home team. You want to come out and get the win, especially when you know how hard everyone has worked to put on this show," Yandle said. "But it's also one of those games, too -- I don't think in my career when I was playing I would've enjoyed it as much as I'm going to enjoy it next week, being able to take it in and all of that stuff.
"I think guys probably don't enjoy it as much as they should. It just seems like one of those things where you're getting ready for another game, but I'm sure a lot of guys have family in town and people flying in. It makes it a lot more special for both teams. But I think if I had any advice, I would tell guys to enjoy it as much as they can."
The Bruins will be making their fourth Winter Classic appearance next week. They are 2-1 in their previous three matchups, with the most recent one being a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. They also beat the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park in 2010 and lost to the Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in 2016.
The Penguins will be in the Winter Classic for the third time and have a 1-1 record so far. Pittsburgh won the first ever Winter Classic in a shootout over the Buffalo Sabres back in 2008, and also lost to the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field in 2011.
Puck drop for the 2023 Winter Classic is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 2 on TNT.
