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.