2023 NHL Winter Classic Game Recap: Pitsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins

Fenway Park.  The location has such a rich and impressive history in sports, and today, it added yet another to its long and growing list.  An outdoor hockey game unlike any other as the NHL heads back to the roots of how many NHL players, past and present, discovered their love of hockey.  The stadium was packed, and rightfully so, as the Boston Bruins would welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to another home in their city, the prior mentioned Fenway Park.  Let's recap a monumental part of this 2022-23 NHL Season: The 2023 NHL Winter Classic!  

This would be an expert first period of hockey.  Sadly, the first development in this period would be a player leaving due to an apparent injury, not a goal.  Tristan Jarry would leave with about 5 minutes remaining in this opening period.  The Goaltender left the ice on his own power; I won't comment on the injury, however, as I don't create speculation.  (If you're a regular reader, you already know this.  If you're new because I'm writing a special blog for the Winter Classic, beyond my regular Columbus Blue Jackets Blog Team, now you know my practice.)  Casey DeSmith would come in as backup and keep this game scoreless through Period 1.  

In the second period, the Bruins would be treated to their second Powerplay chance; the first in Period 1 resulted in no score.  Seconds later, however, a Penguins player would be guilty of a penalty, and the skaters would even out to a 4 on 4.  With just about 10 seconds of Powerplay for the Penguins, nothing would result from these penalties, and the 0-0 game would continue.  Less than halfway through this period, the Penguins would gain another Powerplay, but again no goal would come from this!  Then, at 8:40, the first goal in this 2023 NHL Winter Classic would come!  It was scored by K. Kapanen and mark number six of his season.  Assists on this goal went to D. Helinen, number eight for him this season, and J. Carter, number twelve for him this season.  1-0 Penguins and this is the score Period 2 would conclude with.  

Not long into this final period of regulation, a tripping penalty against the Penguins would give the Bruins a much-needed chance to tie this game.  This wouldn't happen on the Powerplay, but second after at 7:46, J. DeBrusk would gain his fifteenth goal of his 2022-23 NHL Season.  Assists on this goal would go to B. Marchand, number twenty-one for him, and M. Grzelcyk, who adds number nine to his season.  1-1 tie with just over half a period of regulations to go!  With less than 3 minutes to go, J. DeBrusk would score another goal at 17:36.  Assists on this goal would go to T. Hall, the fifteenth of his season, and D, Krejci, his eighteenth of the season.  2-1 and the Bruins would take their first lead of the game.  Many attempts would be made for the Bruins, hoping for an empty net goal, but one wouldn't come.  The final is the 2023 Winter Classing would be Bruins 2 and Penguins 1. What an amazing and close game!  

Star 1- J. DeBrusk 

Star 2- L. Uilmark 

Star 3- B. Marchand

Blue Jackets fans, former Captain Nick Foligno had some great chances on the ice today, but sadly none would connect for a score or assist.       

As is customary, the 2024 Winter Classic was announced today.  That game will be between the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights.  The Seattle Kraken will host in the Seattle Mariners Stadium.  To those who couldn't watch today's game due to work or travel, you'll be happy to know this game will be on New Year's Day next year, not the day after!  

One more note as I wrap up this post.  I offer my respect to Kris Letang and his family after his season has been full of injuries and he now navigates the passing of his dad.  To those wondering why he missed the game today, with his fellow Penguins, this is why.     

Enjoy your home win Boston and Columbus Blue Jackets, we'll be back at it tomorrow night, 7:00 PM at the Ottawa Senators.  

Happy New Year!