[2] The Flyers and Penguins were another candidate for the 2017 Winter Classic, but scheduling conflicts with the National Football League in both cities and winterization concerns regarding Beaver Stadium (a neutral site stadium discussed as another possibility for a Flyers–Penguins outdoor contest) led St. Louis to be chosen instead.

Jon Miller, president of NBC Sports programming, credited the poor ratings to multiple factors, including several bowl games involving teams from markets that are popularly associated with hockey, not being held at a sufficiently iconic venue, and most prominently, the presence of a Canadian team.

Miller argued that having all-U.S. matchups in the Winter Classic helps to guarantee local viewership that counts towards NBC's ratings.

[8] The St. Louis Blues won 4–1 behind goalie Jake Allen's 22 saves, and with star Vladimir Tarasenko scoring two goals in the third period turning a 1–1 tie into a 3–1 lead.

St. Louis native and NBC Sports anchor Bob Costas contributed to pre-game coverage.

St. Louis Blues[15] Coaches: Red Berenson, Bob Plager, Brian Sutter and Garry Unger

Blues organist, Jeremy Boyer, entertained and pumped up fans throughout the game on the Busch Stadium organ.