The NHL kicked off 2024 on a disappointing note with the Winter Classic, featuring the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, becoming the least-viewed Winter Classic ever.
With only 1.11 million viewers, this Winter Classic marked the first time it didn't secure the highest viewership for a regular-season game. Connor Bedard's debut game with the Chicago Blackhawks, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby, attracted over 1.4 million fans.
The Blackhawks have played in five outdoor games against the Red Wings, Penguins, Capitals, Wild, and Blues, and are poised for another outdoor classic with Bedard at the helm.