It is time for outdoor NHL hockey again on Thursday, this time from historic Wrigley Field in Chicago as the Blackhawks play the Detroit Red Wings. The NHL has tried this outdoor experiment twice in the past and the ratings and the interest has been excellent. The first game was played in Edmonton back in 2003 when over 51,000 fans saw the Oilers play the Montreal Canadiens. The other matchup was last year in Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium as Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to give the Penguins the win over the Sabres. An NHL-record crowd of 71,217 was on hand for the game played in the snow. It was the highest rated regular season game in the U.S. since 1996.

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Detroit Red Wings (24-7-5) at Chicago Blackhawks (20-7-7) *Wrigley Field*
Thursday, 1:05 pm Eastern – NBC

The Hockey betting Winter Classic is likely to continue in the future as the NHL has purchased advanced ice-making systems and a number of cities have expressed an interest in hosting the game. Detroit, Boston, New York, Toronto and Montreal have all shown an interest.

Thursday’s game between the Blackhawks and Red Wings will mark the 701st meeting between the teams. It is the back end of a home and home series between the two teams. Detroit routed Chicago 4-0 at home on Tuesday. Goaltender Ty Conklin got the shutout and he will get the start on Thursday. Coincidently, Conklin was in goal in the previous two outdoor games. He was with the Oilers in 2003 and with the Penguins last year.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Both team realize the importance of it,” Conklin said. “It’s more than a run of the mill regular-season game.”

Here are the Hockey betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Red Wings are 38-16 in their last 54 overall. The Red Wings are 1-5 in their last 6 road games. The Red Wings are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Chicago

The Blackhawks are 9-1 in their last 10 overall. The Blackhawks are 16-5 in their last 21 home games. The Blackhawks are 12-26 in their last 38 Thursday games. The Blackhawks are 2-7 in their last 9 vs. the Central.

The Under is 4-0-1 in the Blackhawks last 5 overall. The Over is 8-3-1 in the Blackhawks last 12 home games. The Over is 5-2 in the Blackhawks last 7 vs. the Central.

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