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3 unforgettable outdoor games in recent NHL history

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / -USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers will kick off the first of the NHL season's three scheduled outdoor games.

The Jets host the first outdoor game in franchise history and - with the star-studded alumni game plus other celebrations throughout the city - it's clear organizers are hoping this matchup can rival some of the best outdoor games we've seen since the NHL started making them an annual affair in 2008.

With that in mind, let's take a stroll down memory lane as we recall three of the most unforgettable outdoor classics.

Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings, 2014

It wasn't until the 2014 season that the NHL finally decided to let the Toronto Maple Leafs take part in the outdoor festivities.

In turn, the league created just the second Original Six matchup to be played outdoors, with the club pitted against the Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium.

The game set a NHL record for largest attendance, with a certified 104,173 fans braving the frigid temperatures.

The game itself was also thrilling, aided by the blizzard conditions - it truly was a Winter Classic. When all was said and done, the Maple Leafs claimed a 3-2 shootout victory thanks to a winning goal by Tyler Bozak.

Penguins vs. Sabres, 2008

The inaugural Winter Classic will surely go down as one to remember.

The introductory game - which has now become a mainstay - was played in conditions that brought hockey fans back to their days as kids, playing on the local pond while snow fell.

The Penguins and Sabres endured more blizzard-like conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium and ultimately it was Sidney Crosby who stole the show.

The teams played to a 1-1 score, but Crosby would seal the Penguins victory with a goal on the final shootout attempt - a shootout that saw both goalies share the same net because the snow and winds were so fierce.

Red Wings vs. Blackhawks, 2009

The 2009 Winter Classic was the perfect follow up to the first installment, providing fans with a classic goal-scoring onslaught.

The Blackhawks and Red Wings - in the first outdoor game to include two Original Six clubs - combined for 10 goals in a matchup that saw Detroit claw their way back from an early 3-1 hole.

The game set a still-standing record for most goals scored in a Winter Classic - though the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils combined for 10 of their own in a 2014 Stadium Series game.

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