Bruins get unsurprising opponent for 2022 Winter Classic

Author Matt Dolloff

April 13th, 2022 10:07 AM

Former NHL-er and prominent media personality Kevin Weekes is practically reinventing the reporting game. Weekes has been breaking legit hockey news this season, but he’s been doing it via video selfies from random, unpredictable locations. That’s much more fun than your standard run-of-the-mill tweeting.

Anyway, Weekes’ latest Twitter report involves the Boston Bruins. They’re already known to be hosting the Winter Classic at Fenway Park in 2023, but Weekes has confirmed that their opponent will be an unsurprising one: the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Credit where credit’s due: Mike Grinnell from the Barstool Sports podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets” tweeted back in February that he was hearing the Penguins would be the Bruins’ Winter Classic opponent. But Weekes did add a key piece of information: the date of the game is expected to be Jan. 2, ostensibly because New Year’s Day 2023 falls on a Sunday during the NFL season.

The Penguins are a wholly unsurprising choice as the Bruins’ opponent for the 2023 Winter Classic because they are owned by John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group, who bought the team back in November. The Pens became the first American sports franchise outside New England to enter the FSG portfolio. The company also owns Liverpool F.C. in the English Premier League.

The 2023 Winter Classic will be the Bruins’ first such game at Fenway Park since 2010 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and their first Winter Classic overall since they beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 at Notre Dame Stadium in 2019. It will also mark the first outdoor Bruins game since they played the Flyers at Lake Tahoe in 2021.

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Trent Frederic #11 of the Boston Bruins in action against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck past Robert Hagg #8 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: General view of action between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: John Moore #27 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck during the first period of the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Goaltender Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in action during the second period of the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck pressured by Sean Couturier #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  Charlie Coyle #13 of the Boston Bruins scores a second period goal past Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  Anders Bjork #10 of the Boston Bruins loses his stick against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL: NHL Outdoors-Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins

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  Feb 21, 2021; Stateline, Nevada, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in a NHL Outdoors hockey game at Lake Tahoe. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

PHOTOS: History of the Bruins’ outdoor games

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 01: The Philadelphia Flyers skate against the Boston Bruins during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 01: Zdeno Chara #33 and Marc Savard #91 of the Boston Bruins play the puck against Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: Dan Carcillo #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers fights against Shawn Thornton #22 of the Boston Bruins during the first period of the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: The Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Boston Bruins during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins congratulates teammate Marco Sturm #16 for scoring the winning goal to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: Claude Julien, Head Coach of the Boston Bruins, looks on from the bench during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: A general view of the rink is seen during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: Marco Sturm #16 of the Boston Bruins celebrates scoring a goal to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 01: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins defends his net against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
• 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  BOSTON - JANUARY 01: Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers faces off against Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins at the start of the game during the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins logos prior to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins looks on in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins compete for the puck in the third period during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins looks on with his team from the bench in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins controls the puck in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: A general view as the Montreal Canadiens play the Boston Bruins during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Zdeno Chara #33 and Jimmy Hayes #11 of the Boston Bruins speak in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Dennis Seidenberg #44 of the Boston Bruins looks on in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins looks on in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

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  FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens controls the puck against Adam McQuaid #54 and Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins in the third period during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: Fans looks on before the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal past Cam Ward #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins leaves the rink after beating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: John Moore #27 of the Boston Bruins and Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks battle for the puck in the third period during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: The Boston Bruins celebrate after Sean Kuraly #52 scored a goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins skates across the ice in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
• NHL: Winter Classic-Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks

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  Jan 1, 2019; South Bend, IN: Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period in the 2019 Winter Classic hockey game at Notre Dame Stadium. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

• Patrice Bergeron – NHL: Winter Classic-Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks

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  Jan 1, 2019; South Bend, IN: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron chases the puck with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith in the first period in the 2019 Winter Classic hockey game at Notre Dame Stadium. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

• 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – Boston Bruins v Chicago Blackhawks

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  SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - JANUARY 01: A general view during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  The Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins set for the opening faceoff during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck past Robert Hagg #8 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Goaltender Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in action during the second period of the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: General view of action between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL: NHL Outdoors-Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins

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  Feb 21, 2021; Stateline, Nevada, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) during the first period in a NHL Outdoors hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Lake Tahoe. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Trent Frederic #11 of the Boston Bruins in action against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 7-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers skate in the first period during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  Charlie Coyle #13 of the Boston Bruins battles for the puck in front of Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
• NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe – Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins

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  The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers play a face-off in the first period during the 'NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe' at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 21, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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