History Series / NHL247

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[UsefulNotes/{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}} The Blackhawks]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}} The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For its fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

In the series, which airs in 4 hour long episodes, producers follow the players, coaches, and staff of the two teams around in the locker room and in various aspects of their daily lives over the course of the month of December leading up to the January 1st game. Fans (and [[{{Hater}} haters]]) of the teams receive an inside look at each practice, each game, and even in the homes and families of the players. You might expect any amount of [[MomentOfAwesome awesomeness]] and [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming heartwarming]], but what truly made it a fan favorite are the unexpectedly [[CrowningMomentOfFunny hilarious]] bits that make it a rich well of MemeticMutation for hockey fans of all pursuasions.

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[UsefulNotes/{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}} The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For its fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

* Mr.SwearsALot: Bruce Boudreau nuff said.

** In season 2, John Tortorella is beginning to give Bruce a run for his money

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[UsefulNotes/{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}} The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

* MrSwearsALot: Bruce Boudreau nuff said.

* MrSwearsALot: Bruce Broadau nuff said.

* MisterSwearsALot: Bruce Broadau nuff said.

* MisterSwearALot: Bruce Broadau nuff said.

* HiddenDepths: The show does a very good job of showing that the players are actually real people, many with families and outside interests. For example, while many people see Matt Cooke as a disgusting goon who should be banned from the sport, he's also a loving and devoted husband and father.

* ClusterFBomb: A common occurance, but ''especially'' Bruce Boudreau. The man is ClusterFBomb incarnate.

The second season, featuring the Flyers (again) and the [[BigApplesauce New York Rangers]] aired in late 2011. Unfortunately, due to the league being locked out for a significant portion of the 2012-13 season, the 2013 Winter Classic, which was to be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor between the Maple Leafs and the Red Wings, was canceled. Fortunately, since the league and the players did resolve the lockout and at least some of the schedule was salvaged, the league has said that they will simply push the Winter Classic back until 2014, so the third season of 24/7 will likely air later this year.

The second season, featuring the Flyers (again) and the [[BigApplesauce New York Rangers]] is currently airing. You can watch an extended preview [[http://www.hbo.com/sports/#/sports/24-7-flyers-rangers-road-to-the-nhl-winter-classic/video/winter-classic-preview.html/eNrjcmbOUM-PSXHMS8ypLMlMDkhMT-VLzE3VLMtMSc2HiTrn55WkVpQw5zMXsjGyMXIyMrJJJ5aW5BfkJFbalhSVpgIAVj4XOA== here]].

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[UsefulNotes/{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[UsefulNotes/{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

* HiddenDepths: The show does a very good job of showing that the players are actually real people, many with families and outside interests. For example, while many people see Matt Cooke as a [[YourMileageMayVary disgusting goon who should be banned from the sport]], he's also a loving and devoted husband and father.

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

* CloudCuckoolander: Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgolav, who enjoys engaging in phylisophical discussions during his one on one interviews.

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins]] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

* CloudCuckolander: Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgolav, who enjoys engaging in phylisophical discussions during his one on one interviews.

The second season, featuring the Flyers (again) and the [[BigApplesauce New York Rangers]] begins airing December 14th and you can watch an extended preview [[http://www.hbo.com/sports/#/sports/24-7-flyers-rangers-road-to-the-nhl-winter-classic/video/winter-classic-preview.html/eNrjcmbOUM-PSXHMS8ypLMlMDkhMT-VLzE3VLMtMSc2HiTrn55WkVpQw5zMXsjGyMXIyMrJJJ5aW5BfkJFbalhSVpgIAVj4XOA== here]].

In 2008, the [[{{NHL}} National Hockey League]] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.

In 2008, the [[UsefulNotes/NHL National Hockey League] came up with the crazy idea of having a nationally televised game played at an outdoor stadium on New Years Day. The event known as the ''Winter Classic'' between the Buffalo Sabres and [[{{Pittsburgh}} Pittsburgh Penguins] was so well-received that it became an annual event that was used to highlight some of the league's classic rivalries such as [[TheWindyCity The Blackhawks]] vs [[MotorCity The Red Wings]] and [[{{Boston}} The Bruins]] vs [[{{Philadelphia}} The Flyers]]. For it's fourth year, the league chose to instead highlight a more recent rivalry in that of the Penguins (again) against the [[WashingtonDC Washtington Capitals]], but more importantly to highlight their respective stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the two players most likely to be recognized by non-hockey fans who might watch the game. The league's motivation for doing this was [[MoneyDearBoy somewhat understandable]]. It proved to be for the best though because the added publicity of the matchup prompted {{HBO}} to produce a hockey variant of their recurring series ''24/7'', which had previously covered high profile boxing matchs, and so ''NHL 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic'' was born and quickly became a fan favorite with the upcoming second season being as anticipated as the Winter Classic game itself.