NHL Stadium Collection 2024: Favourite jerseys, recreation predictions

The 2024 NHL Stadium Collection is a two-game affair at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers tackle the New Jersey Devils (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+) adopted by the New York Islanders squaring off in opposition to the New York Rangers on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).

All of that’s identified. However let’s reply among the large questions everyone seems to be asking forward of the pair of Metro Division tilts:

Who has the most effective uniforms? What number of of those groups will make the playoffs? Who wins the video games? And naturally, the place ought to the NHL stage its subsequent Stadium Collection video games?

Who has the most effective uniform set?

Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: It is the Rangers for a couple of causes. Every thing about that sweater appears to be like clear. From the colours on the decrease half of the sleeve to the numbers on the shoulders right down to how although white is a standard look, it nonetheless feels dope. What sells it’s the letters throughout the entrance. The way in which the NYR appears to be like in that diagonal sample is straightforward but engaging on the identical time.

Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: The Flyers. The traditional winged P, full with puck, strikes as a partnership in simplicity, class and severity. Pair that placing emblem with a dramatic orange/black mixture, offset with white for distinction and it is a set that is recognizable and revered by hockey followers in every single place, younger and previous. Aesthetics apart, an meeting that harkens again to a toothless Bobby Clarke, the remainder of the Broad Avenue Bullies, the Legion of Doom and Ron Hextall incomes extra penalty minutes than every other goalie in league historical past.

Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: Rangers by a mile. They regarded nice at preliminary reveal and so they look even higher on the MetLife Stadium ice. Straightforward alternative right here. The NYR block lettering is clear. It is also completely different sufficient that it stands out. Huge win total.

Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: The straightforward reply right here is the Rangers as a result of the design feels traditional in a approach that, say, 10 years from now you would nonetheless see followers carrying these sweaters with pleasure. And that is cool! However, there’s one thing concerning the Islanders’ uniforms that I really like, too. In that they are simply so … Islanders. Blunt. To the purpose. Simply orange, blue, ISLES. And so they have this rugby-like high quality that’s completely different. Their sweaters went off script a bit and within the reverse approach the Rangers went traditional, the Islanders have a jersey constructed for this event.

Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: The Rangers have the sweetest jersey, little doubt. It has slightly streetwear edge that I want the opposite groups had chased of their design. However for the uniform set, I am going to take the Devils. That purple and black is de facto going to pop beneath the stadium lights in distinction to these Flyers jerseys. The black-on-red nameplates and numbers most likely aren’t going to be fashionable with play-by-play announcers, however they assist make this sweater pop.

What number of of those 4 groups make the playoffs?

Clark: For instance two. Folks preserve ready for the Flyers to stumble, but it is mid-February and so they’re nonetheless in a playoff spot whereas the Rangers have a shot at profitable the President’s Trophy. The query actually lies with the Devils and the Islanders. Each are inside placing distance of a wild-card spot. Each of them even have questions they have to reply with regards to whether or not or not they will return to the playoffs.

Matiash: Two. Assuming there isn’t any tragic unraveling in sight, the Rangers are a shoo-in, whereas the Devils — semi-bold prediction right here — will make a spirited cost to season’s finish, with an addition by way of commerce in internet to assist in that regard. I additionally count on the Flyers to ultimately miss out on a wild-card spot by a smidge, overwhelmed to that place by a spirited Detroit Purple Wings group that one way or the other nonetheless manages to maintain the wheels turning via mid-April.

Öcal: Two. The Rangers … and I am undecided concerning the different one. It is going to be a enjoyable race within the Metro, that is for positive.

Shilton: I wish to say optimistically that three of the 4 will get there. It relies upon if Philadelphia GM Danny Briere goes into full buying and selling mode on the deadline, although. The Rangers seem like a lock and one of many Islanders or Devils can actually push their approach in over the following few weeks. It is these Flyers we won’t nail down simply but. They’ve had an unbelievable run thus far and it will be enjoyable to see them again within the playoff combine.

Wyshynski: The Rangers are clearly a playoff group that is on tempo for round 106 factors. They’re superb. The Flyers have a 75% probability of creating the playoffs, per Stathletes. Whereas I feel their goaltending may in the end undermine their season, the identical could possibly be mentioned of the Devils. John Tortorella has a expertise for getting middling groups into playoff spots to the detriment of the franchise’s long-term plans, and I feel the custom continues right here.

In order that’s two. However I feel it’s going to be three, because the Devils make the reduce. You’ll be able to already hear a louder heartbeat since Jack Hughes got here again. It would not shock me to see them take the No. 3 seed to arrange a rematch with both the Rangers or the Hurricanes within the first spherical. Alas, the Islanders fall in need of the postseason, which can little doubt assist gas Patrick Roy’s existential angst.

Who wins every recreation?

Clark: The Devils and the Islanders. Staying shut within the wild-card race or overtaking the groups in entrance of them is the precedence for each groups. Much more so now that the NHL is at that stage of the season when entrance places of work are evaluating whether or not or not they will get into the playoffs. It is what made Jack Hughes’ return to the lineup so essential for the Devils and the choice to rent Patrick Roy necessary for the Islanders.

Each groups imagine they will get into the playoffs. So do the Purple Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 2 groups which can be forward of them within the standings. It is why each end result approaching the commerce deadline is so necessary.

Matiash: The Devils and Rangers. Philadelphia could have a tough time in managing a fully-primed (by no means thoughts irritated, after Thursday’s tight loss to L.A.) Jack Hughes, whereas Nico Daws is taking part in properly sufficient in internet to provide his aspect a stable probability. Winners of six straight, the red-hot Rangers seem too nice for an Islanders group that is not precisely blooming as desired beneath new coach Patrick Roy. Plus, Igor Shesterkin appears to be like snug once more.

Öcal: I am going Devils and Rangers to get the W’s. I am searching for the environment to be electrical, regardless of the climate being colder than this “ice in my veins” transfer:

Connor McTurkish pic.twitter.com/6yV6Q7Thzf

— ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ (@Arda) February 16, 2024

Shilton: The Flyers and Rangers. I am totally anticipating some nice competitors out of those matchups and the Devils will likely be additional motivated to carry out of their house state, however Philadelphia has been the extra constant membership total and I like their odds of taking a detailed one from New Jersey. And the afternoon tilt may find yourself being a real goalie battle! Ilya Sorokin at one finish and sure Igor Shesterkin on the different. Two good groups duking it out in between. That is good drama! In the long run although, the Rangers look poised to drag out an enormous win to cap off the weekend.

Wyshynski: I feel the Devils give the house state followers one thing to cheer about and take the primary recreation in regulation, in a vital win for his or her playoff probabilities. I feel the Rangers additionally give the house state followers one thing to cheer about — whether or not they’re the North Jersey Blueshirts trustworthy or coming over the bridges and tunnels — by dispatching the rival Islanders in a matchup between the league’s fifth-best energy play and one of many worst penalty kills in latest reminiscence.

Nominate a future Stadium Collection vacation spot

Clark: Can we nominate two areas the NHL hasn’t been earlier than? The primary could be someplace in Florida. We have seen Raleigh, Dallas, Los Angeles and Santa Clara get outside video games previously. It makes you marvel if Florida could possibly be a chance the identical approach the NHL made Dodger Stadium a actuality again in 2014.

The second could be both Camp Randall on the College of Wisconsin or Lambeau Area, house of the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Each these venues have hosted faculty hockey video games previously, with every of them drawing greater than 40,000 in attendance.

Matiash: A tilt between the Avalanche and Blues in entrance of 90,000 followers at Memorial Stadium in Nebraska could be extremely cool. The century-plus previous joint is teeming with historical past, and the midwestern winter climate may show ideally suited.

Öcal: Mexico Metropolis. Istanbul. Mars. The Colosseum. The planet Hoth from Star Wars. What I am saying is: Let’s make future areas as bold and artistic as potential.

Shilton: The primary place that got here to thoughts is Notre Dame. It hosted a Winter Traditional in 2019, however it will be cool to see the NHL again there in a spot the place hockey holds such a wealthy historical past. The climate, the venue, the fan curiosity; it will all line up and make for a terrific expertise.

Wyshynski: The dream stays the Flyers and Penguins at Beaver Stadium at Penn State. Hopefully, it might probably lastly occur after some renovations they’re planning for the soccer house of the Nittany Lions. These groups have met in outside video games earlier than, however the actual Battle of the Keystone State will not be fought till Beaver is the battleground.