Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times via Associated Press
Construction of the rink for the NHL Winter Classic is seen Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The home of MLB’s Seattle Mariners will have the Vegas Golden Knights squaring off against the Seattle Kraken today in the league’s annual showcase event in the U.S.
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Most of the players with Vegas Golden Knights grew up playing hockey in the coldest parts of Canada.
Most didn’t have a rink in their backyard, but played on the frozen ponds close to home.
The atmosphere in this season’s outdoor game will be quite different. This one will have tens of thousands of spectators in a Major League Baseball ballpark on New Year’s Day.
The Golden Knights will take part in their first NHL Winter Classic at noon today against the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. The lone game on the NHL schedule will be televised on TNT.
“It always brings you back to your roots,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy, a native of Ottawa, Ontario.
The NHL’s outdoor games are usually designated for either the marketable stars in the league, or feature Original Six teams with passionate fan bases. The Winter Classic’s first installment was in 2008 in Ralph Wilson Stadium — now Highmark Stadium — near Buffalo, N.Y. The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby, defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in a shootout.
Over the years, the teams with historic pedigrees have gotten their fair share of outdoor ice time. The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks have played four Winter Classic games, the most of any other team. The Penguins have appeared in three.
This year, the league’s two newest teams — both coming off their most successful seasons to date — are getting their time to shine in the Pacific Northwest.
“As a kid, I remember growing up watching the Winter Classic,” said Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson, who hails from Calgary, Alberta. “Now I’m actually competing in the Winter Classic.”
The Golden Knights and Kraken thriving early in their respective existences was a best-case scenario for the NHL. Seattle was one win away from meeting Vegas in the Western Conference Final last year before losing in the second round to the Dallas Stars.
Of course, the Golden Knights went on to win the Stanley Cup. But they’re entering the Winter Classic looking little like the defending champions.
Though Vegas topped the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena, Cassidy’s club will be looking to avoid a fifth straight loss on the road. Vegas has allowed 20 goals in its last four games away from home.
The Golden Knights earned points in 11 of their first 12 games to begin the season, but have since gone 11-10-4 with a mostly healthy lineup.
The two major exceptions are goalie Adin Hill, who isn’t expected to be available against the Kraken due to a lower-body injury, and defenseman Shea Theodore as he continues to recover from surgery related to an upper-body injury.
But the Golden Knights haven’t been able to figure out the defensive issues and goaltending struggles that have plagued them. Barring a return to full strength from Hill, Thompson is expected to start against Seattle. Thompson has been on the hook for 23 goals in his past six appearances, posting a 3-3-0 record.
“I think that’s a lack of attention to detail, not playing a team game,” Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez said after Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. “I think we’ve been disconnected. I think we’ve got to play more together as five and support each other all over the ice.”
The Kraken had their share of struggles early in the season, but have started to turn things around. They have yielded just five goals during a season-high four-game winning streak and have recorded points in eight consecutive games.
Vegas raised its Stanley Cup banner Oct. 10 against Seattle before cruising to a 4-1 win. The Golden Knights are looking for their fourth win in a row and ninth in 10 meetings all-time against the Kraken.
The last time the Golden Knights played in an outdoor game, it was a 3-2 loss on a makeshift rink in Lake Tahoe against the Colorado Avalanche in February 2021. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the game was played in front of no fans. It was also delayed for more than eight hours because of ice conditions.
“Playing in front of 50,000 people, a little different of a magnitude, right?” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone.
Good news this time: It’s in a stadium and there shouldn’t be any ice delays unless something goes drastically wrong. Monday’s weather for Seattle calls for a high of 47 degrees and cloudy conditions.
Better memories should be had this time around.
“I know when we step out there, it’s going to be awesome,” Thompson said.
[email protected] / 702-259-8814 / @DannyWebster21
