As snow-covered mountains stood guard on the horizon, imprinting their shadows on Lake Tahoe’s immense cobalt-blue surface, two NHL games were played this weekend.
The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights were first to take to the ice, playing on Saturday in a game that grappled with the elements and wound up being played under the stars, followed by the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins on Sunday.
Before the puck could even be dropped in either tilt, though, the spectacle of an outdoor rink immersed in nature was widely praised.
Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range which straddles the border with California, offered a remarkable backdrop — one that was able to not only conjure childhood memories of playing on outdoor rinks, but capture the simple freedoms of the game itself.
From those pre-puck drop moments, to the games themselves and everything in between here are the can’t-miss sights and sounds from the NHL’s 2021 Outdoor Games.
The Avalanche and Golden Knights’ first glimpses of Lake Tahoe
With fans unable to attend, teams’ social media accounts were tasked with filling the void of capturing the experience of being at Lake Tahoe.
While nothing would compare to being there in-person, the initial sights were breathtaking nonetheless and the locale led to warmups far different than those you would typically see at an NHL arena.
Not mad about the views #NHLOutdoors #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NkjyMHalJh
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 20, 2021
We have arrived #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/ovgGhdXFwF
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 19, 2021
SO
MUCH
EXCITE pic.twitter.com/xUwEAhKi22
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 20, 2021
Today’s warmups include some different *exercises* than normal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/doUKii3dKm
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 20, 2021
Warmup. #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/rD9TZYAOVH
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) February 20, 2021
What. A. View. #NHLOutdoors | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/xrTQWIlAff
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 20, 2021
The puck drops on Avalanche vs. Golden Knights, for the first time
Under the bright Nevada sun, the puck finally dropped between the Avalanche and Golden Knights.
Colorado, debuting their reverse retro jerseys which pay homage to the organization’s time in Quebec City as the Nordiques, controlled play for much of the first 20 minutes. An early goal from Samuel Girard set the tone for a period in which the Avalanche outshot the Golden Knights 17-8, and held onto that 1-0 lead.
Ready. #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/VznVXWzhwI
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) February 20, 2021
Unreal. #NHLOutdoors #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RHfn6YBBj2
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 20, 2021
~scenic~ pic.twitter.com/oVAMA53Vce
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 20, 2021
But the same sunlight that amplified those lakefront views proved detrimental to the ice itself. Slushy ice conditions led to several falls from players and officials and, eventually, the decision to delay the game.
That delay would ultimately last more than eight hours, setting the stage for a conclusion under the stars.
The puck drops on NHL Outdoors After Dark
The imperfect nature of the event didn’t dampen its magic.
With the sun set, play resumed — 10 hours and 37 minutes after the puck was first dropped — and Colorado picked up where they left off, this time led by Nathan MacKinnon.
MacKinnon, who assisted on Girard’s goal in the game’s first period, engineered a highlight-reel goal in the second that saw him take dance around Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo before beating Marc-Andre Fleury to give Colorado a 2-1 lead. The Avalanche never relinquished their one-goal edge, winning 3-2.
It's almost time for #NHLOutdoorsAfterDark… @GoldenKnights vs. @Avalanche at MIDNIGHT on @NHLonNBCSports and @Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/SHEbZE5jWp
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2021
#NHLOutdoorsAfterDark is almost upon us.
MIDNIGHT action, @GoldenKnights vs. @Avalanche on @NHLonNBCSports and @Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/1dQ3PAJQLt
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2021
The latest look at the ice. #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/j4aenQ9zsL
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) February 21, 2021
Getting ready for a fresh 40#NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/ehh40BBgfB
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 21, 2021
Guess who’s back, back again?#NHLOutdoorsAfterDark #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/zCYUNvcaBA
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 21, 2021
Let's just take a second to appreciate how sweet this rink looks.#NHLonSN | #ItsOn | #NHLOutdoorsAfterDark pic.twitter.com/lO2qUg97PM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2021
Who doesn't love some midnight puck!#NHLOutdoorsAfterDark is on NOW!
: SN ONE | #NHLonSN | #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/rndQzTdrof
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2021
How it started vs. how it’s going. #NHLOutdoorsAfterDark #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NtMfDPwjS5
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 21, 2021
Just saying, the #ReverseRetros still look good in the dark too. #NHLOutdoorsAfterDark #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ZK3xSHOxwS
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 21, 2021
more of this plz pic.twitter.com/JqZ9HFlH4X
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 21, 2021
It took 10 hours and 37 minutes but the @Avalanche take the Saturday (and part of Sunday) edition of #NHLOutdoors! #NHLonSN | #ItsOn | #NHLOutdoorsAfterDark pic.twitter.com/EroWjZm7AT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2021
Yesterday felt like a blur, but in the best way#NHLOutdoors #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/XMlofwkQFn
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 21, 2021
At Lake Tahoe, the mascots roamed free
The views offered up by Lake Tahoe weren’t enjoyed by just the players in attendance or fans watching from home.
Team mascots, including the infamous Gritty, were spotted taking in all that nature had to offer over the weekend.
TA-HOE, TA-HOE it’s off to work we go!#NHLOutdoors @nhl pic.twitter.com/zFLPOQzQvy
— Chance (@ChanceNHL) February 18, 2021
We came to take pics of the mountain and found @ChanceNHL and the Golden Knightttt!!!! pic.twitter.com/m7xPdavPqZ
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 20, 2021
Attitude + Altitude = Gritty pic.twitter.com/UHZTX7Roso
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) February 21, 2021
Taking over Tahoe. #NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/fEnxozqzek
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 21, 2021
Tahoe air cleanseth thy soul pic.twitter.com/sIOcqmoMsA
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) February 21, 2021
Not quite Bigfoot,
But still an urban legend. pic.twitter.com/jbBbLJWA9C— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) February 20, 2021
Blades and @GrittyNHL…best friends?#NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/e6mpBDOHs2
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 21, 2021
The Flyers and Bruins take to Tahoe
With the eventual success of Game 1 in the books, it was the Flyers and Bruins’ turn to take to the ice.
Boston’s entrance to the rink, which saw the team don 90’s-themed attire, stole the show early on.
Presenting the 1̶9̶9̶0̶ 2021 Boston Bruins.#NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/y7xRb0tIE4
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 21, 2021
#NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/KtM56GnZcO
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 22, 2021
Pasta rockin' the shades #NHLonSN | #ItsOn | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/LXfAnO9NEa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 22, 2021
Into the great wide open. #AnytimeAnywhere | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/Bw9fDQtWaX
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 19, 2021
We’re not on Broad Street anymore. #NHLOutdoors | #AnytimeAnywhere pic.twitter.com/u8UV5rIiXk
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 20, 2021
If you build it, they will come. #NHLOutdoors | #AnytimeAnywhere pic.twitter.com/GBzlZlDGOf
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 20, 2021
Hockey with a view.#NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/uBTfv0ky6c
— #NHLOutdoors on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 22, 2021
Boston vs. Philadelphia, at sunset
The spectacle of Game 2, which featured the Flyers and Bruins, was no less impressive than Saturday’s tilt.
With the game moved from 3 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET after the sunlight issues on Day 1, the elements cooperated for the Flyers and Bruins, the game playing out with the sun sinking behind the mountains after the first period.
@ the sun
could you like…not? #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/iMRgfydBOt
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 22, 2021
Puck drop for all future NHL Lake Tahoe games should happen soon as the sun dips under that western ridge. pic.twitter.com/dzbPf8oQIP
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) February 22, 2021
Puck drop at sunset in Lake Tahoe#NHLonSN | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/jC5magEETn
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 22, 2021
Inside. Outside. Wherever.#NHLBruins | @pastrnak96 pic.twitter.com/LCIfVrKnDB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 22, 2021
Joel Farabee ties it up in Tahoe!#NHLonSN | #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/qExVCLsn0K
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 22, 2021
Sunset in Tahoe #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/ynHxvrVYdL
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) February 22, 2021
Just enjoying the view on this @CMcAvoy44 goal.. #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/JJggDb9Z5J
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 22, 2021
Sunset celly. @pastrnak96 pic.twitter.com/5YlZ1j8u5o
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 22, 2021
.#AnytimeAnywhere | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/6oQrZhZqs6
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 22, 2021
Nature's beauty.#NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/r6mbUJkvrn
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 22, 2021
Ready for the second. #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/PhDXGC0mJz
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) February 22, 2021
The PERFECT hockey setting.#NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/pC6mc8EZYK
— #NHLOutdoors on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 22, 2021
move over, @rosebowlgame.#AnytimeAnywhere | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/utwvAURNYf
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 22, 2021
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