Takin' a T/O With BT: It's That Time of Year Again—The NHL's Winter Classic

November 24th, 1926.

According to NHL.com, that's the first time the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings ever faced each other on NHL ice.

On January 1st, 2009 the 'Hawks and the Wings renew one of the NHL's most fruitful rivalries and face off for their 701st matchup—well ahead of any other rivalry in the history of the NHL.

This game though, will be just a bit different than those of recent memory as home-ice advantage for the 'Hawks has turned into home field advantage.

That is to say that the historic Wrigley Field has been turned into an ice rink and is home to the NHL's second annual Winter Classic; this year sponsored by Bridgestone.

While 2003 featured a match-up of two of the NHL's greatest dynasties (the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers) and last season featured two of the NHL's most exciting young teams (the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins), as well as one of it's coldest non-Canadian markets, this year is the first time that the Winter Classic will feature two Original Six teams.

The Blackhawks feature a team laden with current stars such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and Ducan Keith, along with former stars such as Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote, the Esposito brothers, and Bobby Hull.

The Red Wings are the NHL's current dynasty (or as close as it's gotten in years) with names like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Marian Hossa, while featuring future Hall of Famers Nik Lidstrom and Chris Chelios and sporting the likes of Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, and Sid Abel dotted throughout their history.

Although both teams are Originals with 14 Stanley Cups between them, and the jersey's themselves will predate World War II, the man who'll most likely be tending the twine for the Red Wings is the most original factor of all in this game.

After all he's already braved the conditions twice to play NHL hockey outside.

When going into this past off-season, one had to wonder if the Detroit Red Wings had this game in mind when they signed Ty Conklin. The former Edmonton Oiler, Buffalo Sabre, Columbus Blue Jacket, and Pittsburgh Penguin has played in two Winter Classics to date and holds a 1-1 record.

He braved the near -30 degree temperatures in Edmonton in '03 in a losing effort, and the snowy confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium last year, winning in a shootout thanks to Sidney Crosby.

If you want to have the best shot at winning this game, why not go with the weather-tested option?

Sidenote: I find the whole Ty Conklin thing kind of funny. Last year, my first article ever for Bleacher Report was on the NHL's Winter Classic. About halfway through I let the following view from my crystal ball slip:

"You wondered if Georges Laraque and Ty Conklin are just going to keep jumping from team to team, to remain the only players to ever play in all of these 'Classics.'"

Okay so Georges has ruined it, playing in Montreal for some ridiculous Centennial Celebration this season, but the Conklin thing is weird. And he is on a one-year contract this year....makes you wonder eh?

But while the Red Wings have a goalie between the pipes who's experienced in these conditions, it's looking less and less likely that the teams will be in for a snow ball.

The temperature ranges for New Years day in Chicago have been pegged at a high ranging from zero degrees Celsius to minus two, and a low ranging from minus two to minus seven. Not warm by any means, but certainly not the chilliest outdoor game in recent memory.

Random Winter Classic Note: Here's the game sheet from last year's Winter Classic. There's a start time, an end time, and an attendance figure, however there's no temperature, so I'm not sure where the range sat for last year's game.

You'd think that for an outdoor game the NHL would have a temperature figure posted, but no. I'd like to know if we're on pace for the warmest Winter Classic in it's short history, but I can't be sure.

As it stands now however, there's an outside chance that the Winter Classic could see a bit of snow with a 20 percent chance of precipitation set for Thursday afternoon.

While the normally gusty Chicago winds could become a huge factor late in the game, the NHL has tried to address that problem by having the team's switch sides halfway through the third period in an attempt to even the playing field just like last season (If the game goes to overtime, the switch will happen at 2:30 of the extra-frame).

But rain or shine, snow or sleet, slight breeze or tornado, the two highest-scoring teams in the Western conference will be going toe-to-toe outdoors this Thursday.

While an offensive, guns-a-blazing duel would seem likely under any other indoor circumstances, a defensive battle seems to be in the cards if last year is any indication.

A 1-1 game after 65 minutes between two of last season's highest scoring teams was what highlighted last season's Winter Classic, and with even less experience on either of these squads in the outdoor conditions (Adam Hall of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Miller also played in the 'Cold War' game between Michigan and Michigan State) it's hard to fathom a blowout for either side.

Whether goals are scored in handfuls or bunches though, the 50 television cameras (from NBC, CBC and the NHL Network) are sure to capture something special in Chicago on New Years day.

While I'd love to remain impartial and just enjoy the game, if I was asked to give an edge to one of the teams on Thursday it'd be fairly simply for me: The Chicago Blackhawks.

Think about it: It's New Years day, the game is being played at 1:00pm in the afternoon, and neither Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane aren't old enough to drink in the States.

This could be more interesting than we thought...

Bryan Thiel is a Senior Writer and an NHL Community Leader for Bleacher Report. If you want to get in contact with Bryan, you can do so through his profile, and you can also check out all of his previous works in his archives.