For Karlsson, 27, the event provides the chance to play outdoors in the elements, something he hasn't done very much in his life. It is an opportunity he looks forward to embracing.
"Growing up (in Landsbro, Sweden), I skated some outside, but I didn't play a lot of games outside," the Senators captain said. "We had most of our games indoors. We only had one team in the area that didn't have an indoor rink.
"We did skate at a little park outdoors and we'd skate there for hours. When it got really cold, I'm sure we didn't like it too, too much. So looking back, it was a huge thing. And I appreciate it."
On March 2, 2014, Karlsson and the Senators played the Vancouver Canucks in the Heritage Classic, a game that was supposed to be played outdoors. But those plans were squelched when a morning drizzle in Vancouver led officials to the decision to keep the roof closed at B.C. Place in order to keep the playing surface from digressing into a slushy mess.
"We did play in a not-so-outdoor game in Vancouver a few years back, which I thought was amazing even though we were in Vancouver and we really didn't get all of it," Karlsson said of Ottawa's 4-2 win. "So, I'm really excited to have an outdoor game at home. And to be able to do it in Ottawa in front of our fans, makes it that much better."