The NHL is gearing up for the Bridgestone Winter Classic, which will be played on New Year’s Day between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins at … Fenway Park?

Yep, that’s right.  The famous baseball park - home of the Boston Bruins - has been transformed into an outdoor ice rink to host the Winter Classic.  Now that the ice has been laid all that’s left is to play the game.

The players have already had a sneak peek of the setup, taking a tour of Fenway last week.  As you might expect, all attention went to the Green Monster as players marveled at the iconic wall standing in left field.  Immediately the conversation turned to who could shoot the puck from the ice (which runs from the third baseline to the first baseline) over the Monster.  Could it be a preview to some pregame action on January 1?  I hope so.

Though the players may have been sizing up the Monster, this was also a chance for them to get a feel for what the rink will be like when they take to the ice to face off.  Many are predicting that setup of the smaller park provides much more intimate seating.  The Green Monster hovers over the rink, which means that fans occupying those seats will have a front row view of the game.  Unfortunately for the Flyers, their net is closest, meaning that they’re sure to get an earful of booing Boston fans.  The unique setting is certainly going to make this Winter Classic one to remember.

Once the game has been played, the rink will open to the public for skating sessions on Jan. 3 until Jan 10.  If I could get to Boston, you can be sure I’d be taking a few laps around that rink!

There are still a few weeks to go before the puck drops, so, in the mean time, check out the live webcam of Fenway below. And don’t forget that there is still plenty of NHL action between now and then.  BetUS is offering the following odds on this Tuesday’s games.

Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Puck Line
Flyers: +1 ½ -175
Penguins: -1 ½ +155
Moneyline
Flyers: +165
Penguins: -200

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Nashville Predators
Puckline
Lightning: +1 ½ -220
Predators: -1 ½ +180
Moneyline
Lightning: +140
Predators: -155

Calgary Flames @ St Louis Blues
Puck Line
Flames: -1 ½ +250
Blues: +1 ½ -300
Moneyline
Flames: -115
Blues: -105

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Minnesota Wild
Puck Line
Blue Jackets: +1 ½ -220
Wild: -1 ½ +180
Moneyline
Blue Jackets: +135
Wild: -155

Washington Capitals @ Colorado Avalanche
Puck Line
Capitals: -1 ½ +220
Avalanche: +1 ½ -260
Moneyline
Captials: -135
Avalanche: +115

Los Angeles Kings @ Edmonton Oilers
Puck Line
Kings: +1 ½ -240
Oilers: -1 ½ +200
Moneyline
Kings: +115
Oilers: -135

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.