The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres will meet in an all-New York NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.
Outdoor hockey is coming to New York.
The New York Rangers will face off against the Buffalo Sabres at Citi Field on Jan. 1, 2018, marking the second NHL Winter Classic appearance for both teams.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the all-New York matchup Tuesday night in a fitting environment. Bettman confirmed the contest during the first intermission of the Rangers’ Game 6 Stanley Cup playoff game against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden.
2018 @Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.@NYRangers vs. @BuffaloSabres.
— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2017
New Year’s Day.#WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/1AJcRlTa0g
The Sabres are returning to the NHL showcase a decade after hosting its premier event.
“The Winter Classic made its debut under snowy Buffalo skies in 2008, and we look forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of that landmark event by matching the Sabres with their intrastate rivals,” Bettman said. “With New York City as its host, the renewal of our New Year’s tradition will continue to inspire hockey memories for our clubs, our players and our fans.”
The Sabres dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 1, 2008 before 71,217 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. In their lone winter classic appearance, the Rangers earned a 3-2 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2, 2012.
The NHL is considering three outdoor games next season, according to the comeback.com.
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One concept the NHL was considering, The Hockey News reported, was having the Montreal Canadiens host the first outdoor game in Canada. It would commemorate the 100th anniversary of the NHL’s first-ever game. The Canadiens could host the Senators on Nov. 26, 2017. The date is a Sunday and the Canadiens could make it a weekend event for NHL fans.