2024 NHL Stadium Series

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.

Background

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

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.

MetLife Stadium, which is less than ten miles from the regular home arenas of both the Rangers and Devils, is 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.

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.

:''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.

:''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 while New Jersey–based rock band the Gaslight Anthem performed "Howl" during the first intermission and after any goals scored by the Devils. The national anthem was performed by saxophonist and E Street Band member Jake Clemons. 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. 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 and Bryan Trottier presided over the ceremonial puck drop.

Broadcasting

In the United States, both games aired on ABC and simulcast on ESPN+. In Canada, Sportsnet simulcasted ABC's feed.

References

{{NHL on ABC

NHL Stadium Series
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Ice hockey competitions in New Jersey
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