2024 NHL Stadium Series explained

The 2024 NHL Stadium Series was a series of two outdoor regular season National Hockey League (NHL) games that were played during the 2023–24 NHL season. This was the first time since 2016 that two Stadium Series games were scheduled instead of just one. Both games were held on the weekend of February 17–18, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Philadelphia Flyers faced the New Jersey Devils on February 17, while the New York Rangers played the New York Islanders on February 18.^[2]

Background

The NHL announced the Stadium Series games on June 3, 2023.^[2] The league originally planned to only stage one game with just the Rangers and the Devils.^[3]

All three NHL teams in the New York metropolitan area were represented, like the two games at Yankee Stadium in the 2014 NHL Stadium Series.^[4] As with the case of 2014, the Rangers were designated the away team for their game against the Islanders as their home arena, Madison Square Garden, receives tax-exempt status, but only if the Rangers do not "cease playing" home games at MSG, generally interpreted as playing any "home" game outside of MSG.^{[5] [6]} This also marked the first time the Devils played a home game at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in nearly 17 years, following the team's departure from Meadowlands Arena at the end of the 2006-07 NHL season for their current home of Prudential Center.

MetLife Stadium, which is less than ten miles from the regular home arenas of both the Rangers and Devils, were scheduled to undergo renovations after the end of the 2023 National Football League season in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and therefore several low-level sideline seats were covered with tarp prior to the Stadium Series.^[3]

Game one (Devils vs. Flyers, February 17, 2024)

Game summary

Despite being outshot 48–40, New Jersey controlled most of the game, thanks in large part to two goals from Nico Hischier, two goals from Nathan Bastian, one goal from Tyler Toffoli, and one goal from Brendan Smith. Nico Daws, recently called up from the Utica Comets, made 45 saves in the Devils’ 6–3 victory. For Philadelphia, Nick Seeler scored once and Owen Tippett scored twice.^[7]

Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season

Game two (Islanders vs. Rangers, February 18, 2024)

Game summary

After being down 4–1, the Rangers defeated the Islanders in an impressive comeback, scoring three unanswered goals in 4:18 after being down 5–3, resulting in a 6–5 overtime win. Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves on 41 shots. Scoring for the Rangers included Erik Gustafsson, Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin. The Islanders' goals came from Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Alexander Romanov.^[8]

Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season

Entertainment

During Game 1, pop rock trio and New Jersey natives Jonas Brothers headlined the pregame concert and performed during the second intermission^[9] while New Jersey–based rock band the Gaslight Anthem performed "Howl" during the Devils' introduction, the first intermission and after any goals scored by the Devils.^[10] The national anthem was performed by saxophonist and E Street Band member Jake Clemons.^{[11] [12] [13]} The Devils were introduced by Max Weinberg at the start of the game. Devils alumni player Martin Brodeur dropped the ceremonial puck

During Game 2, indie pop trio and New York natives AJR performed during the first intermission. The pregame team introductions were conducted by players from the Jets and Giants which were Solomon Thomas, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Breece Hall, C.J. Mosley, Quinnen Williams, Sterling Shepard, Saquon Barkley, and Tommy Devito.^[14] The national anthem was sung by United States Air Force Master Sergeant Retired Nalani Quintello, topped off with a flyover featuring two United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from the Carrier Air Wing Eight based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. Alumni players from the Rangers and Islanders Mark Messier (who serves as ESPN/ABC's NHL studio analyst) and Bryan Trottier presided over the ceremonial puck drop.

The colors for both games were presented by the Navy Talent Acquisition Group Empire State office Color Guard, which is composed of Navy recruiters stationed on Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey. The anthems for both games were signed by def performer Reba Del Angelo.

Broadcasting

In the United States, both games aired on ABC and simulcast on ESPN+.^{[15] [16]} In Canada, Sportsnet simulcasted ABC's feed.^[17]

Notes and References

1. National Hockey League PR . PR_NHL . 1759377744956158299 . February 18, 2024 . And with that, the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL #StadiumSeries has come and gone. Thank you to all 150,018 fans that made this weekend an unforgettable experience. . February 18, 2024.
2. News: Devils to play Flyers, Rangers against Islanders at 2024 Stadium Series. NHL.com. June 3, 2023. June 4, 2023.
3. News: Wyshynski. Greg. NHL reveals 'unprecedented' twin bill of outdoor games in N.J.. ESPN.com. June 3, 2023. June 4, 2023.
4. News: Klein. Jeff Z.. Rangers on Road in the Bronx? Money May Be Why . The New York Times . January 25, 2014 . June 4, 2023.
5. Web site: Rangers on Road in the Bronx? Money May Be Why . New York Times . January 25, 2014 . January 3, 2017.
6. https://blueseatblogs.com/2023/05/24/rangers-2024-stadium-series-metlife/
7. Web site: Hischier has 3 points, Devils defeat Flyers in Stadium Series. NHL.com . NHL . February 18, 2024.
8. Web site: Panarin, Rangers rally for OT win against Islanders in Stadium Series Series. NHL.com . NHL . February 18, 2024.
9. Web site: 2024-02-18 . Jonas Brothers heat up MetLife Stadium with pregame performance . 2024-02-18 . www.nhl.com . en.
10. Web site: 2024-02-08 . The Gaslight Anthem to perform Devils' goal song at Stadium Series . 2024-02-18 . www.nhl.com . en.
11. Web site: 2024-02-16 . NHL announces full entertainment lineup, special guests for Stadium Series . 2024-02-18 . www.nhl.com . en.
12. Web site: 2024-02-16 . Stadium Series ‘dream come true’ for The Gaslight Anthem NHL.com . 2024-02-18 . www.nhl.com . en.
13. Web site: 2024-02-17 . Devils, state of New Jersey on center stage during Stadium Series against Flyers . 2024-02-18 . www.nhl.com . en.
14. Web site: Kulesa . Anna . Giants, Jets welcome Rangers, Islanders to their house at 2024 Stadium Series . NHL.com . 13 June 2024 . 18 February 2024.
15. Web site: DiCristoforo . Andrea . 2023-08-30 . The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC and Hulu Beginning October 10 . 2024-02-18 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
16. Web site: DiCristoforo . Andrea . 2024-02-13 . 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series Headlines Five Exclusive Games this Week on ABC and ESPN+/Hulu . 2024-02-18 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
17. Web site: Sportsnet announces national broadcast schedule for 2023-24 NHL season . 2024-02-18 . Sportsnet.ca . en.