Outclassed outdoors

Chicago shows it’s poised to win back-to-back titles after freezing out Penguins in possible Cup preview

CHICAGO — It’s entirely possible that these teams will collide again in about three months, and compete for something far more significant than who is The Best Club In A Football Stadium On A Snowy Saturday Night.

But if so, the Penguins have to be hoping that more than just the weather will be different should they run into Chicago in the Stanley Cup final.

For the Blackhawks didn’t just beat them, 5-1, Saturday night at Soldier Field. They dominated the Penguins in virtually every significant aspect of play, from shots on goal (40-32) to faceoffs (39-30).

Chicago not only adapted to the often-snowy conditions faster and better than the Penguins, but were clearly superior at times when the snow and wind weren’t an issue.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if we’d played the game inside or outside, snow or no snow,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “They were better, more prepared to play, whatever the conditions were.

“The first half of the game was a

JANUARY 1, 2008

PENGUINS 2, SABRES 1 … Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, N.Y. Attendance: 71,217 … Sidney Crosby scores in the final round of a shootout to give the Penguins the victory.

JANUARY 1, 2011

CAPITALS 3, PENGUINS 1 … Heinz Field. Attendance: 68,111 … Eric Fehr scores twice for Washington, but the game is remembered more for starting Sidney Crosby’s concussion problems.

MARCH 1, 2014

BLACKHAWKS 5, PENGUINS 1… Soldier Field, Chicago. Attendance: 62,921 … On a snowy night in Chicago, Jonathan Toews leads a Blackhawks onslaught.

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Chris Kunitz hits the boards in front of Chicago’s Duncan Keith in the first period of a snowy and frosty game in which visibility and clean ice were at a premium Saturday night at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game was part of the NHL Stadium Series.