The Blackhawks look to win their first Winter Classic when they host the Bruins on Tuesday at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Chicago is 1-4 in outdoor games, including a 0-3 mark in the annual New Year’s Day showcase. The Blackhawks lone win outside came during the 2014 Stadium Series against the Penguins at Solider Field in Chicago. Tuesday’s game will mark the third time they will host an outdoor game.
The Bruins are 1-1 in the Winter Classic. Boston won the 2010 edition against the Flyers in overtime at Fenway Park, then lost to the Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in 2016.
The Blackhawks have suddenly turned things around by winning five of their last six games. They’re coming off a 3-2 overtime win Saturday at Colorado, highlighted by two goals from Patrick Kane and a 30-save effort from rookie goaltender Collin Delia.
Despite Delia’s 3-0 mark, Chicago head coach Jeremy Colliton will have 14-year veteran Cam Ward start in net. Ward has gone 2-1 since Corey Crawford was placed on injured reserve with a concussion.
The Bruins, meanwhile, are also clicking with six wins in their last 10 games after a 3-2 victory over the Sabres on Saturday.
Boston could see a boost to their lineup with the return of winger Brad Marchand (upper-body injury). Marchand, who is second on the team in scoring with 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) was a full participant in Monday’s practice for the Bruins. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 23 goals and 48 points in 39 games.
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy, however, did not practice and was ruled out. He has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and could return after the Winter Classic. Boston will also be without forward David Backes, who will be serving his three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head on New Jersey’s Blake Coleman last Thursday.
Tuukka Rask will be Boston’s starting goaltender. Rask is 9-8-2 with a 2.67 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 19 games this season while sharing the net with Jaroslav Halak.
Blackhawks
Saad — Toews — Kahun
Anisimov — Strome — Kane
DeBrincat — Kampf — Sikura
Hayden — Kruger — Perlini
Keith — Gustafsson
Forsling — Seabrook
Dahlstrom — Murphy
Ward
Delia
Bruins
Marchand — Bergeron — Pastrnak
DeBrusk — Krejci — Forsbacka Karlsson
Heinen — Cave — Wagner
Nordstrom — Kuraly — Acciari
Chara — Carlo
Krug — Moore
Grzelcyk — Miller
Rask
Halak
How to Watch
Time: Noon, Central
When: New Year’s Day
Location: Notre Stadium; South Bend, Indiana
TV: NBC (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)