ST. LOUIS — Before the Rams left town in January, the St. Louis Blues were already in line to get an outdoor NHL stadium series game — just not the Winter Classic.

Team Chairman Tom Stillman credits the NHL for recognizing the city sorely needed a shot in the arm and scheduling the Blues against the rival Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 2 at Busch Stadium.

“It’s something that St. Louis could use right about now,” Stillman said. “They’re all great, but this is the big one.”

Commissioner Gary Bettman, executives from both NHL teams plus the Cardinals and former players attended a news conference at home plate in the first public forum since the announcement. As a centerpiece, goalie helmets from both teams flanked the mask of Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

“This is a major league city and unfortunately the NFL has not deemed us worthy, which I think is ridiculous,” Blues Hall of Famer Bernie Federko said. “It’s a soothing moment for sports fans because for our sport, this is the big hurrah.”

The Blues-Cardinals partnership no doubt was a major selling point. The teams are friendly competitors and illustrated that point not long after the Rams’ decision to leave for Los Angeles when Stillman and Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III dropped a ceremonial puck before a game.

The game is usually held on Jan. 1, but the league is pushing it back a day as it did in 2012 to avoid going head-to-head with the NFL. It’ll be the Blackhawks’ third appearance in the Classic and this time they will face a bitter division foe.