On February 4, 2022, the NHL announced that the 2023 NHL Winter Classic would take place at Fenway Park, hosted by the Boston Bruins.[3] Fenway Park became the first venue to host two Winter Classics, having previously hosted the
2010 NHL Winter Classic.[4]
ESPN reported in February 2022 that the
Pittsburgh Penguins would likely be the opponent after
Fenway Sports Group, owner of Fenway Park, took over majority control of the Penguins in December 2021.[5] The league confirmed that it would be the Penguins on April 13.[2]
The NHL moved the Winter Classic to Monday, January 2, as it had in
2012 and
2017, declining to hold the event on a Sunday.[2] In addition, the game returned to its customary afternoon start time (2 p.m.
EST).[6]
Boston-based R&B trio
Bell Biv DeVoe, accompanied by the
Boston Pops Orchestra, performed the national anthem while rock band
The Black Keys performed during the first intermission. Following the anthem, a ceremonial "puck pitch" was done by Red Sox alumni players
Jason Varitek and
Tim Wakefield along with Boston Bruins alumni
Johnny Bucyk,
Zdeno Chara, and
Bobby Orr. The Boston Pops also served as the house band during the game. Country music artist
Sam Hunt performed during pregame.
Broadcasting
The game was broadcast by
TNT in the U.S. and
Sportsnet in Canada.[2]Warner Bros. Discovery Sports reported that the game was the most-watched regular season hockey game of all-time on cable in the United States, averaging 1.8 million viewers throughout the broadcast and peaking at 2.1 million viewers toward the end of the game.[8]
