ST. PAUL, Minn. — When choosing Minnesota’s opponent for the 2021 Winter Classic, Colorado and Winnipeg were in the mix, and Vegas too. Detroit, Dallas and the New York Rangers were also considered. In reality, many teams garnered at least a passing thought.



But when the NHL officially reached a final decision late last month, the St. Louis Blues were the overwhelming pick.



“All roads led to St. Louis,” Steve Mayer, the NHL’s chief content officer, said this week. “I think St. Louis was probably the leader from Day 1 and everything we got back kind of confirmed that.”



The league revealed during the Wild-Blues game Sunday at Xcel Energy Center the two teams will face each other on Jan. 1, 2021, at Target Field in Minneapolis. Former Twins greats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau announced the decision by playing a game of catch at Target Field. Mauer revealed the Blues logo in his glove.



The Winter Classic will be...