It was announced by the NHL that the number of outdoor games per season from the 1 Winter Classic game to a total of 6 games per season. The point of this move is so that all 30 teams can play an outdoor game within a reasonable amount of time, since every club has stated that they want to participate in the Winter Classic. Therefore, now every one will be happy, and more fans will get to see their team play out in the open.
They as well released the outdoor schedule for the 2013-14 season. You New York hockey fans are going to find this really exciting:
1. Winter Classic: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings - Michigan Stadium
Well, this game was supposed to happen this year, but of course, yet another debate of money distribution caused a 1-year delay of hockey at The Big House. This is how every Winter Classic should be: a classic rivalry that's taken to a really big stadium in a really cold place (not just 2 big-money clubs at a big-money stadium no matter the location). This will be just the 2nd WC with 2 Original Six teams playing each other, the other being Red Wings-Blackhawks at Wrigley in 2009. Needless to say, this will be a quality game, no matter the level of the two teams.
2. Anaheim Ducks vs. LA Kings - Dodger Stadium
I'm going to be honest about this: I'm a bit apprehensive about this game. First off, these two teams are from a big market, but the entire country may not be interested in this game, as a lot of their players are not household names to hockey fans (with the exceptions of Cory Perry, Dustin Brown, and Jonathan Quick). Most importantly, I'm wondering how sure the NHL is that they can play an outdoor hockey game in Los Angeles. Hockey is most certainly not their top priority and it's definitely not easy to be sure that the weather will be cold enough to keep the ice from melting completely. Don't expect many more hockey games in LA after this, as it will most likely not work out.
3. New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers &
New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers - Yankee Stadium
Yes, New York Ranger fans, you heard me right: you will be getting 2 outdoor matchups in just 4 short days! With these games happening in the Bronx on January 26th and 29th, it is of course a marketing scheme to promote Super Bowl 48 which will be right across the Hudson River at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The last time the Blueshirts played outdoors was at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the Classic in 2011, and neither of the other 2 NY teams have ever played a game outdoors. These two games will without a doubt be on every sports fan's calendar. Two of hockey's best rivalries will be on display at the second installment of America's most historic stadium. This will definitely be one of, if not the, top event on the 2013-14 NHL calendar.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Soldier Field
The last time outdoor hockey came to Chicago, it was at Wrigley Field in 2009 for the 2nd Winter Classic. Currently, both of these clubs are leading their respective conferences, and neither of them show signs of slowing down by next season when they will meet at the historic home of the Chicago Bears. This will be another game that will have the entire hockey world on their toes (I think it's fair to say at this point that the NHL scheduling crew did a fine job of putting together these games).
5. Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks - BC Place
With two Canadian teams in this game, it will most likely go under the name the Heritage Classic, as have other intra-Canadian outdoor games in the past. There will probably be one outdoor game set aside each year for an all-Canada matchup so that this formerly occasional game can happen every year. Well, that will definitely create some big-ticket games.