Fansided

3 versions of the ultimate 3-day NHL road trip

By Griffin Youngs

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 07: A Washington Capitals fans cheer during the fan watch party at Capitol One Area on June 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Capitals head into Game 5 tonight against the Las Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-1 series lead. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 07: A Washington Capitals fans cheer during the fan watch party at Capitol One Area on June 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Capitals head into Game 5 tonight against the Las Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-1 series lead. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

A live hockey game is one of the greatest experiences in sports, and now would be the time to take a road trip and go see the best the NHL has to offer.

The 2022-23 NHL season is well underway, and it’s been a fascinating start to the season just over a month in. Plenty remains up for grabs in all divisions, and plenty of surprises have emerged to thicken the plot from now until June when the Stanley Cup is awarded.

A live hockey game is one of the greatest experiences in all of the sports, and as we get into the thick of the Holiday season and closer to the New Year, now would be the time to take a trip and go see some of the best the NHL has to offer. Fortunately for hockey fans, the upcoming schedule allows for some incredible opportunities for some amazing road trips.

Here are three versions of an ultimate three-day NHL road trip you can take this winter.

The perfect Northeast NHL road trip

Washington D.C: Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens, Dec. 31

Start your trip with a 4 p.m. EST matchup, go see Washington D.C and see Alex Ovechkin chase down Gretzky’s record against the rising Montreal Canadiens at Capital One Arena.

Though the Capitals have struggled to start the season, timetables suggest that we could see a healthy Capitals team by the time 2023 rolls around. Regardless, an opportunity to see Alex Ovechkin continue to chase history as he inches ever closer to Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is one that should be taken at every opportunity. The Montreal Canadiens have been a ton of fun to watch this season as well, and a duel between Cole Caufield and Ovechkin is one that you don’t want to miss.

The late-afternoon start time gives plenty of time to see the nation’s capital in the morning, and time to rest after the game before hitting the road up I-95 to our next destination on the trip.

New Jersey: New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Jan. 1

Happy New Year! How about an early New Years’ Day matchup between the rising class of the Eastern Conference in the New Jersey Devils taking on the Carolina Hurricanes, with serious potential playoff implications in the Metropolitan Division?

The New Jersey Devils have been the biggest story in the NHL so far this season, and as of right now are fresh off a 13-game win streak and firmly atop the Metropolitan division. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are must-watch hockey at the moment, and the New Jersey crowds have been loud.

The Hurricanes have cooled slightly, but are still one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference this season. If the Devils continue their red-hot pace, and the Hurricanes heat back up before the end of the year, this could be one of the best matchups the Eastern Conference sees all season long. Who knows, this could even be a playoff preview for a few months down the line.

Boston: Winter Classic, Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Jan.2

What better way to finish the trip than with a final stop at the Winter Classic in Boston? The NHL’s second trip to Fenway Park as the surging Boston Bruins take on the always competitive Pittsburgh Penguins in what should be a classic outdoor matchup between two perennial Stanley Cup contenders.

The Winter Classic is one of the NHL’s greatest experiences. Live hockey alone is a treat, but outdoor hockey in a massive stadium simply cannot be matched, especially when you’re getting a matchup like this.

As for the matchup itself, the Boston Bruins have been nearly unstoppable ever since the beginning of the season, and as of right now remain unbeaten on home ice this season. The Penguins have been heating up after a slow start and have gotten back in the playoff picture. Their only matchup so far this season saw the Bruins complete a three-goal comeback in overtime, and if that’s any indication, this matchup and experience will be one to remember.

Home/NHL