A Decade After the 2016 Heritage Classic, Jets Prepare to Host Second Outdoor Game

Ten years ago today, the Winnipeg Jets hosted the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic. On Sunday, they return to the same stadium for their second Heritage Classic, this time against the Montreal Canadiens.

On October 23, 2016, the Jets faced the Edmonton Oilers at the then-named Investors Group Field for a crowd of 33,240 that was fairly split with both Jets and Oilers jerseys at the league's 19th outdoor game.

The Jets did not get the result they wanted as Edmonton goaltender Cam Talbot stopped all 31 shots he faced as the Oilers blanked Winnipeg for 3-0 shutout win. Edmonton scored all three goals in the second period, spearheaded by Mark Letestu, Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian. 

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid finished with an assist while the Edmonton defense held Winnipeg scoreless on four power plays while forcing Connor Hellebuyck to stop 29 of 32 shots in net for the Jets. 

Sunday will be the Jets' first outdoor game since 2019, when they beat the Calgary Flames in overtime at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Between that win and the 2016 loss to Edmonton, Winnipeg holds a 1-1 all-time record in outdoor games. The Canadiens will play their fifth outdoor game and their first since 2017. They enter with a 2-2 record in outdoor games.

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