It came out last week that the NHL is going to expand the outdoor game schedule, adding five more for next year. Basically the schedule will look like this:
January 1 - Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings - The Big House
January 25 - Anaheim Duck vs. Los Angeles Kings - Dodger Stadium
January 26 - New Jeresy Devils vs. New York Rangers - Yankee Stadium
January 29 - New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers - Yankee Stadium
March 1 - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Soldier Field
March 2 - Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks - BC Place
3 football stadiums, 2 baseball stadiums, 1 ridiculous idea.
It's understandable from the NHL point of view. The outdoor games bring in a ton of revenue, and with more events, sponsors are going to be happier - especially since there was a lockout for half this season. From a business sense, it's a good idea.
From a fans perspective though, it's annoying. Having one or two is understandable. Hell, even three would be ok if managed properly. Six though is overkill. It doesn't help that twice there are back-to-back games. I don't think ratings for the games will maintain throughout this run.
As for the games themselves:
- Leafs-Wings was the original plan so that is alright. Plus 24/7 returns!
- In theory, an outdoor game in California sounds good. In reality, this might be a disaster.
- A game at Yankee Stadium would be great.
- Hey, I said A game, as in 1. This does seem like the NHL took pity on the Islanders and just gave them a chance to be in one.
- This a game you want to see at an outdoor event. The Pens and 'Hawks are two of the most skilled teams in the league.
- Many people don't get why the Sens-Canucks is the Heritage Classic (if it's still going by that) game. It's probably since both teams are the only two Canadian teams that haven't been involved in an outdoor game.
Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild
Calgary: Alex Tanguay (sprain MCL), Paul Byron (hand), Dennis Wideman (finger) and are out while Curtis Glencross (knee), Steve Begin (hand), and Derek Smith (lower body) are questionable. Joey MacDonald starts tonight.
Minnesota: Dany Heatley (shoulder) and Josh Harding (illness) are out while Zenon Konopka (foot) and Mike Rupp (lower body) are questionable. Niklas Backstrom might be starting.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Anaheim: Nick Bonino (lower body) and Luca Sbisa (upper body) are out. and Jonas Hiller will be in net.
Edmonton: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder), Ales Hemsky (foot), Eric Belanger (groin), Lennart Petrell (leg) and Andy Sutton (knee) are out. Devan Dubnyk is expected to start.
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