Saturday
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators (7 P.M. ET/ 4 P.M. PT on NBCSN)
The Good: It’s the first of a (somehow) restrained three outdoor games this year, as the Canadiens and Senators get together for the NHL 100 Classic.
I know what you’re thinking: there are too many of these games, and didn’t we already celebrate the NHL’s 100th-anniversary last year?
The answer is, well, sort of. The NHL has celebrated the 100th anniversary of it’s founding since last December. This is the second outdoor game with 100th-anniversary branding; Toronto hosted Detroit last year in the NHL Centennial Classic.
Yes, they both have different names. No, we have no idea why.
👀 Check it out: Your first look at the @NHL Centennial Arena being built for the #NHL100 Classic.@CanadiensMTL take on the @Senators December 16th! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/t8XZ19LkNa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 4, 2017
The Bad: These games are craven and awful money grabs.
The Verdict: Must watch. The Grinch in us here at Puck Prose wants to tell you to tune out, but just check out the weather report. Weather in the 20s. Snow flurries. This is what the novelty of outdoor games was always supposed to be about: big and bombastic and dumb, but also picturesque reminders of kids playing on ponds.
Next: Every NHL Team's Mount Rushmore
What say you, reader? Are we too thrilled about outdoor games? Am I too hard on the Red Wings? Let us know in the comments.
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