Winter Classic starts with a bang after Taylor Hall gets demolished by Zac Bolduc

The crushing hit was delivered to the Chicago Blackhawks’ only goal-scorer tonight, as Blues bruiser Zac Bolduc delivered a brutal hit.

The hit occurred with 1:34 left in the 1st period of the Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues with the Blues leading the game, 2-1.

Hall would fly into the opposition’s bench, which not only was an uncomfortable situation, but a hit that will be relived in highlight reels from the game, for years to come.

Bolduc has been a fixture on the St. Louis Blues third line and has been known primarily for his physical style of play, and ferocity that was shown with that hit.

This season, he’s played 32 games for the Blues and has scored 12 points( 5 G, 7 A) in a limited role for the team.

Taylor Hall

While Hall is a former 2018 Hart Trophy winner, and a potential top trade candidate once March rolls around.

Hall will likely be headed to a contender at the trade deadline with the Blackhawks retaining half of his cap hit to reduce it to $3 million. He has moved around quite a bit in his career, but at this stage and with how the season has gone for him and the Blackhawks, I don’t see Chicago getting a first-round pick for him. If the team can manage to acquire a decently high pick or a prospect for Hall, that would be the best case scenario as it stands right now

His career in Chicago has seen a downturn last season, after experiencing a season-ending injury in 2023-2024.

But this season has seen him rejuvenate his career, as he’s been a staple on the Blackhawks 1st and 2nd lines. Depending on the needs of the team.

The hit we saw was indicative of the healthy rivalry that both teams established in the late 60s which saw the Blues as an expansion team after the original six in the NHL.

In 36 games with the Hawks, Hall has scored 19 points( 7 G, 12 A) and scored 5 points in the last 5 games with the team.