Outdoor hockey expected to return to Edmonton next season
November 22nd, 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of the NHL's first regular season outdoor game, which was held at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium between the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.
To mark the anniversary, it appears that the NHL will be returning to Commonwealth Stadium in 2023 with Edmonton's opponent set to be the Montreal Canadiens or Calgary Flames, according to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic.
"I've been told the Oilers are deep in talks with the NHL to get an outdoor game next October or November at Commonwealth Stadium. At this point, it would be very surprising if that didn't happen," Nugent-Bowman said.
He added, "The opponent is expected to be either the provincial rival Flames or the Canadiens — their foe for the OG outdoor game, the Heritage Classic in 2003."
He added, "The opponent is expected to be either the provincial rival Flames or the Canadiens — their foe for the OG outdoor game, the Heritage Classic in 2003."
Since 2003, the Edmonton Oilers have appeared in two outdoor games. They lost to the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-3 in 2003 and defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 in the 2016 Heritage Classic. Meanwhile, Edmonton's potential opponents are no stranger to outdoor games. The Canadiens have appeared in three with a record of 2-2 and the Flames have played in two, winning one and losing the other.
Source: The Athletic.
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