Much to my shock in the last couple of hours, the NHL leaked it was not just planning one outdoor game next year – but six. Including the Rangers, Islanders and Devils all getting into the action at Yankee Stadium late next January. Devils-Rangers will be on Sunday, January 26 while Islanders-Rangers will be three days later on Wednesday the 29th.
For our game, the Rangers will be the road team so no doubt season ticket holders for the Devils will get a chance to purchase this game at some point or other. I’d assume the Rangers would be the home team for the other game against the Isles, but that’s not confirmed yet. Clearly the NHL wants to capitalize on the extra media and people already in town for the Super Bowl the Sunday following the Devils-Rangers game. According to various sources including Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti, there’ll be various alumni games and other events at Yankee Stadium to further take advantage of the rink being there that week.
Among the other outdoor games, of course the Wings and Leafs get the traditional New Year’s game at Michigan Stadium that they should have had this year, Anaheim and the Kings will play at Dodger Stadium on the 25th (the day before Devils-Rangers), Pittsburgh will take on Chicago at Soldier Field on March 1, and Ottawa will take on Vancouver at BC Place the next day, in what surely will be a HNIC special. Of course this all hasn’t been officially announced yet, but as of now that’s the plan assuming all i’s get dotted and t’s get crossed.
I have mixed emotions about this on all fronts. Part of me feels like I have to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event and go, and part of me knows I’ll most likely be miserable sitting outdoors for three hours. I’m certainly glad the Devils are finally a part of the winter festivities on the one hand and the more markets involved the better over the long haul (since until recently the Winter Classic’s only featured a select NHL demographic), but on the other six games, really?! We’ll find out next year if there’s indeed too much of a good thing, that’s for sure.
hasan4978
Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
When I saw this, I thought it was a joke. I love the idea. Even though Dad sorta had a similar reaction. The LA vs Anaheim one at Dodger Stadium is crazy. We definitely need to be at Yankee Stadium.
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They should have one at Yankee Stadium, Rangers-Devils and one at Citifield, Isles-Rangers.
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Totally looking forward to this. I'm with you on the cold. It's the reason I don't go to football games after September. But for this, I'll brave the cold. This will be an fantastic experience.Also, us Devils season ticket holders got this with our renewal forms last month:In the event that the National Hockey League selects the New Jersey Devils to participate in a regular-season game(s) to take place at a venue other than the Prudential Center, season ticket holders ("STH") will have the option to:1. Receive a full refund equal to the amount of the ticket purchased for the game originally scheduled at the Prudential Center (the "original Ticket")2. Receive a Season Ticket Holder account credit in the amount equal to the original Ticket purchase price.3. Credit the amount equal to the Original Ticket price purchase price toward the ticket price of the newly scheduled game played at an alternative venue (the "Event Ticket").-In the event that the original Ticket price is less than the Event Ticket price, Season Ticket Holder will be required to pay the difference.-In the event that the Original Ticket price is more than the Event Ticket price, Season Ticket Holder shall, at its discretion, receive a Season Ticket Holder account credit, or refund, in the amount of the difference.
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I saw that, but figured they were prepping us for the Devils having a beginning of the season overseas trip next year lolAnd yeah I don't go to football games much these days anyway. The last one I went to was in 2006 on New Year's eve (when the Jets clinched a playoff spot), a surprisingly mild day. But yeah I might as well go, especially with it being on a Sunday at least. The Isles/Rangers on WEDNESDAY is a bit goofy.
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Who are the Devils gonna face in Europe?
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I don't think the NHL is having the Europe trip this year. I'm just saying I thought that's what the notice would be for since there was no shot in hell of us getting a Winter Classic anytime soon lol. Little did I know winter games would multiply like the gremlins when Gizmo got water on him.
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I sure wasn't expecting the Outdoor Palooza. It's definitely cool.
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