3 stadiums and teams the Senators should play in their next outdoor game

Roger Centre entrance, the landmark is a multi-purpose...
Roger Centre entrance, the landmark is a multi-purpose... / Roberto Machado Noa/GettyImages
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The Ottawa Senators have had the opportunity to play in two outdoor games in NHL history. The Senators won the 2014 Heritage Classic against the Vancouver Canucks and won the NHL 100 Classic in 2017 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Erik Karlsson, Zack Smith, Mike Hoffman, Cody Ceci and Craig Anderson are the five Senators who played in both of Ottawa's outdoor games. Playing outdoors is a great way for NHL players to relive childhood memories of what it was like playing outdoors on a frozen pond.

Outdoor games also offer the chance to play in iconic cities and stadiums. The Senators played their games at BC Place in Vancouver and TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, but was known as "Landsdowne Park" for the NHL 100 Classic. If the Senators were to play in another outdoor game again, the Senators would have to serve as the visiting team, but the team has a chance to play in iconic and beautiful stadiums.

3 stadiums and teams the Senators should play in their next outdoor game

All three of these teams are bitter rivals to the Senators. There's nothing like a rivalry game being played outdoors. If the Senators were to play outdoors again, a baseball stadium would fit the game better. These stadiums are worthy of Senators fans to take a trip to see their team play outdoors.

3. @ PNC Park vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Some hockey fans could find it shocking that the Senators have a rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they surprisingly do. The two teams have met in the playoffs five times. The Senators have played the Penguins the most times in the playoffs, and it would be fitting for the two teams to play outdoors in a beautiful setting.

PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates the MLB. The ballpark features a gorgeous site of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline. The skyline is highlighted by the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Although PNC Park is one of the best ballparks in the MLB, it has a capacity of under 39,000.

The NHL has played two outdoor games in Pittsburgh before at Acrisure Stadium (previously named Heinz Field when the NHL played there at the 2011 Winter Classic and 2017 Stadium Series). With already playing at the home of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, PNC Park would be the perfect setting if the NHL was to go back to Pittsburgh for an outdoor game as the ballpark is considered one of the best in the MLB.

The Senators would be a worthy opponent for the Penguins. With Pittsburgh still having its pieces of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, the senators offer three young superstars to counter Pittsburgh's veteran core. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson are destined to be core pieces for Ottawa.

2. @ Olympic Stadium vs Montreal Canadiens

Canada and hockey are two things that go perfectly together. Two important cities in all of Canada are Ottawa and Montreal. Throughout history, the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens have had their history of intense battles. Both teams are bound to have another outdoor meeting in one of the most iconic stadiums in all of Canada: Olympic Stadium.

Olympic Stadium in Montreal has a ton of history with important events. From the 1976 Summer Olympics, to hosting the Montreal Expos from 1977 to 2004, and to hosting hot popular music artists, the stadium would be a perfect setting for the NHL to play an outdoor game. With Ottawa and Montreal having big French populations, it draws for a big setting. The stadium has a capacity of 56,000

Both teams have played each other once before outdoors at the NHL 100 Classic in 2017 at Landsdowne Park. The Senators won the game 3-0 with a capacity of 33,959. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the game winning goal, and Craig Anderson recorded a 28-save shutout. The game was also one of the coldest games played in NHL at 13 degrees.

If the Senators were to play again outdoors, playing the Canadiens in Montreal at Olympic Stadium would be a great venue to play at. With the stadium's previous history, adding in an outdoor hockey game would add more history to it.

1. @ Rogers Centre vs Toronto Maple Leafs

In the province of Ontario, the citizens live and breath hockey like there's no tomorrow. Ontario has two hockey teams that are bitter rivals with the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. The two teams have met four times in playoff history, but the result was the same with the Maple Leafs eliminating the Senators.

Hatred is in the air with every meeting that the two teams have. Toronto is the top opponent that Ottawa should play in their next outdoor game. If it was to ever happen, one stadium would be the perfect place to play: Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Rogers Centre has an important place in people's hearts in Canada. The only MLB team in Canada plays at Rogers Centre with it being the Toronto Blue Jays. While the Senator and Maple Leaf fan bases will bicker at each other, both fan bases can have a common thing which is being a Blue Jays fan. Rogers Centre offers the right setting for the two teams to play outdoors with both teams being from Ontario, and playing at Rogers Centre home to the only MLB team in Canada.

Having the Rogers Centre's roof open with the CN Tower shown, would be a stunning view for fans to see at the game. While Rogers Centre has a capacity less of Montreal's Olympic Stadium with being over 49,000, Rogers Centre is the best stadium for the Senators to play in an outdoor game.

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