The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres will play in the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field on Jan. 1. Here’s how you can watch online via live stream.
What better way for NHL fans to ring in the New Year than watch the Winter Classic? Best of all, the Chicago Blackhawks aren’t involved this year. Progress! This year, the event will be held at Citi Field. The Buffalo Sabres will host the New York Rangers. While the puck drop is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET, keep in mind delays will likely occur.
This outdoor game features two teams heading in opposite directions. On one hand, the Rangers have recovered from a very rough start, as they currently hold the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They are led by star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who is having a borderline Vezina Trophy-caliber season.
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Mats Zuccarello is the team’s leader in points with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 38 games. Leading goal scorer Michael Grabner (17 goals) has one of the most interesting stat lines in the NHL, as his goal to assist ratio (17 to three) resembles a Cy Young contender. The return of center Mika Zibanejad (22 points in 29 games) has given the Rangers’ offense a much-needed spark.
On the other end of the ice, the Buffalo Sabres were expected to improve this season. However, they enter 2018 at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Sabres are hoping to start 2018 off on the right foot with a win in a tough environment. Despite being listed as the home team, Citi Field is much closer to Madison Square Garden than it is to Buffalo.
Jack Eichel is leading the Sabres with 35 points in 38 games. Evander Kane has 34 points, including a team-high 15 goals (tied with Eichel). Robin Lehner will get the start in goal for Buffalo.
Date: Monday, Jan. 1
Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: New York, New York
Venue: Citi Field
TV Info: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
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Prediction
The Rangers should win this one. They are clearly the better team and they’re on a roll. Let’s go with 3-1.