In the nine days leading up to the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium, practically every other sport will be showcasing itself in the area.
The NBA will have the Knicks-Heat dueling at the Garden the night before the Seahawks and Broncos decide the NFL champion. Before the Knicks and Heat take the floor there’s a college hoops doubleheader at MSG with St. John’s-Marquette and Georgetown-Michigan State doing battle. UFC will have a premiere bout the same night with bantamweight champ Renan Barao taking on Urijah Faber at the Prudential Center.
But the highlight of the Super Bowl appetizers is the NHL invading Yankee Stadium with two outdoor games in four days with the Rangers taking on the Devils on Sunday then Islanders on Wednesday.
“It’s a wow factor in my world,” said NBC analyst and former Rangers center Eddie Olczyk.
“I am very envious, very jealous of the coaches that are getting an opportunity to play this game in an unbelievable city and a historic ballpark. It’s an opportunity and another way for the game of hockey to sell and cross-promote and get outside, especially kicking off Super Bowl week in the right fashion.
“These teams have a little bit of dislike for each other and it’s very exciting and to be a part of it in the broadcast side is a great honor.”
It’s the first time outdoor hockey will come to the area. There have been six versions of the wildly popular Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, but this is the first time the league has tried to expand in the regular season with six outdoor games this year.
“People are going to be arriving in New York, it’s going to be another big-time event that’s going on in New York City,” Olczyk said.
“It’s a way to get our game out there, promote it, celebrate it. And it’s just not another game, it’s not an exhibition or for entertainment. These are big points for teams that are looking to move up the ladder.”