Citi Field will likely host 2018 Winter Classic between Rangers and Sabres

The 2018 Winter Classic will reportedly be held at Citi Field between the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres.

The New York Rangers have been in three outdoor hockey games. They are undefeated in these three games, beating the Flyers, Devils, and Islanders. It appears the Rangers will be in a fourth outdoor game against the Buffalo Sabres. The 2018 Winter Classic will reportedly be held at Citi Field between the two teams.

"The Winter Classic likely will make its New York debut on New Year’s Day 2018, with an outdoor game at Citi Field in Queens between the Rangers and Sabres close to being finalized, two sources confirmed to Newsday."

Two outdoor games have been held in New York, but both of them were Stadium Series events. This will be the second Winter Classic for both teams. The Sabres participated in the NHL’s first Winter Classic back in 2008, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. For the Rangers, they beat the Flyers in 2012.

While this isn’t the huge rivalry the St. Louis Blues versus Chicago Blackhawks Winter Classic was, this should get good ratings. Buffalo versus New York is an underrated rivalry. The Rangers are one of the NHL’s most popular teams and ratings are very high for the Sabres despite having a losing team.

Must Read: 20 venues that need to host a Stadium Series

More importantly, this will be an opportunity for the NHL to put Jack Eichel on the national stage. He’s one of the league’s most exciting young players. Also, Eichel could be the next great American player, along with Auston Matthews. This is also another opportunity for Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to play in an outdoor game. It might be his last one as well. Citi Field should be a great host as well, as it’s one of the nicer stadiums in baseball.