NHL

10 stunning photos from the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe weekend

Michelle R. Martinelli
USA TODAY Sports
The Vegas Golden Knights skate in warm-ups.

The NHL has been hosting outdoor hockey games for years with the Winter Classic, but the 2021 game was canceled back in October because of limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the league still set up two outdoor games being played this weekend, called the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe, but they're not actually playing on the lake, which sits on the border of California and Nevada. Instead, they're playing on a rink on the 18th fairway of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort golf course without fans in attendance — though some are on the lake.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche play Saturday afternoon, while the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers will face off Sunday.

Related: NHL Outdoors game at Lake Tahoe was postponed due to the sun, and fans had so many jokes

Between the lake itself and the Sierra Nevada mountain range as the backdrop, the outdoor event is leading to some truly spectacular images. Here are 10 of our favorite photos so far:

In an aerial view from a drone, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche warm-up.
A general view of a flyover as Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights players line up for the national anthem.
Hockey fans on boats and kayaks on the lake before the NHL Outdoors game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche.
The Vegas Golden Knights head out for the game against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Vegas Golden Knights face-off against the Colorado Avalanche.
In an aerial view from a drone, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche warm-up.
The rink is prepared for the game Saturday.
The Colorado Avalanche practice prior to the NHL Outdoors At Lake Tahoe.
Matt Calvert carries the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe.