The NHL may have saturated the market on outdoor games. With a one-to-two other games played outdoors each year in the NHL Stadium Series — in addition to the trends in broadcast television viewership, the Winter Classic has seen a steady decline over the past ten seasons.

Classic is an annual hockey game that has taken place since 2008. Learn more about its history, all-time results and other stats now.

This year's NHL Winter Classic was an absolute dud, recycling two teams (the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues) that have already played in multiple outdoor games in a venue (Wrigley Field) that has already been used.

On New Year’s Eve, the Chicago Blackhawks will welcome Wrigley Stadium for what is set to be one of the biggest Winter Classics in NHL history. The game, announced in February, is a rematch of the 2017 NHL Winter Classic when the Blues defeated the visiting Blackhawks.

The St. Louis Blues' 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field marked the 16th edition of the Winter Classic. Even when returning to previously used venues, the Classic continues to grow and change every season.

Classic has been the NHL's signature regular season event since the 2007-08 season, taking a New Year's Day game outdoors to various football and baseball stadiums across North America.

There's been no shortage of absolute whiffs as far as pregame and halftime entertainment goes at sporting events through the years. So the NHL must have screwed up really badly with their musical guest with the way people are buzzing on New Year's Eve.