Game Preview: Winter Classic at Fenway Park vs. Bruins

GAME 37 | JAN. 2
PIT: 19-11-6 (44 points) | BOS: 28-4-2 (60 points)
2:00 PM | FENWAY PARK
WATCH: TNT | LISTEN: 105.9 The X, Penguins Radio Network

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GAME PREVIEW

The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Boston Bruins in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Last game against the Bruins on Nov. 1, the Penguins lost 6-5 in overtime. This will be the second matchup of the season between the Penguins and Bruins and first ever outdoor game between the two teams. Evgeni Malkin and Brock McGinn each recorded two points in the first matchup against the Bruins this year. Last season, Jake Guentzel led the team in points (5) against Boston, recording (3G-2A) and a plus-4 in three games played. Pittsburgh has points in three of its last four games versus Boston (2-1-1). The teams have traded wins in each of the last 11 matchups, with Pittsburgh gaining points in six of them (5-5-1).
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Playing at Fenway Will be Thrill of a Lifetime for Boston Native Sullivan
Penguins wear Scally hats, get some swings in at Fenway Park

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QUICK HITS

Today marks the third time that Penguins' head coach Mike Sullivan will serve as head coach in an outdoor game (1-0-1). He was also behind the bench when the Penguins defeated the Flyers in 2017 at Heinz Field, as well as when they fell in overtime to the Flyers in 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field. Before joining the Penguins, Sullivan was an assistant coach twice in outdoor contests: a New York Rangers assistant coach for the 2012 Winter Classic against the Flyers at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia (3-2 NYR win); and a Vancouver Canucks assistant during the 2014 Heritage Classic held at BC Place in Vancouver (4-2 L).
Today's game will be the fifth outdoor game that associate coach Todd Reirden has been a part of. He was an assistant coach with Pittsburgh for the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field and the 2014 Stadium Series game versus the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field, and was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals at the 2015 Winter Classic against Chicago at Nationals Park and associate coach at the 2018 Stadium Series game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Assistant coach Mike Vellucci's only outdoor game experience prior to today was as head coach and general manager of the OHL's Plymouth Whalers in their 2-1 shootout win against the London Knights during the 2013 Hockeytown Winter Festival at Comerica Park in Detroit in the lead-up to the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.
Goaltending coach Andy Chiodo has suited up for two outdoor games in his career. He backed up for Tappara of the Liiga in Finland against Ilves at Ratina Stadium on Dec. 14, 2013, and saw time at the 2015 Slovenian Winter Classic with HDD Olimpija against HDD Jesinice at the Republic Square Open Ice Rink on Dec. 18, 2014.

WE'RE TAKING IT OUTSIDE

Today, the Penguins (2-2-1) are playing in their sixth outdoor game, tying the Chicago Blackhawks for the most among NHL teams. Below is a look at the five previous outdoor games the Penguins have played in:
• 2008 Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium: Pittsburgh took down the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1 in the shootout, in the first-ever Winter Classic 15 years ago. Sidney Crosby scored the iconic shootout winner.
• 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field: Evgeni Malkin scored the lone goal for Pittsburgh as they fell, 3-1, to the Washington Capitals.
• 2014 Stadium Series at Soldier Field: James Neal tallied the only goal for the Penguins as they dropped their second-straight outdoor game, 5-1, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
• 2017 Stadium Series at Heinz Field: Rookie Jake Guentzel notched two assists as the Penguins took down their cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, in the second NHL game at Heinz Field.
• 2019 Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field: Sidney Crosby scored in his second-straight outdoor game (1G-1A), but Claude Giroux's overtime goal handed Pittsburgh the 4-3 overtime loss.

COACH INTERVIEW

Video: Sullivan speaks to the media.

GAME TRIGGER PROMOTIONS