"Both teams are in their prime with their cup window wide open so it's sure to be an entertaining matchup. Also they've become frequent playoff foes. Since 2018 (the year the Avalanche's current playoff streak began) they've met each other three times, with Dallas winning each matchup. Then again Colorado actually won a cup in that timeframe while Dallas has yet to get over the conference final hump since 2020."
"Choosing a team from outside the Central Division might add a little more geographic appeal. Then again that doesn't mean the NHL has shied away from inter divisional matchups in outdoor games before, in fact quite the opposite. Maybe the league will want to play it safer since Dallas is an "untraditional" playoff market? The 2020 Winters Classic was an inter divisional matchup, as was the 2024 Winters Classic that saw the Vegas Golden Knights go against the Seattle Kraken."
AT&T Stadium will host the NHL Stadium Series in 2027 with the Dallas Stars as the home team, marking the venue's first hockey game and seating over 80,000. The presence of a roof raises questions about the "outdoor" designation. Potential opponents under early consideration include the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators, with the Avalanche offering a high-profile, competitive rematch given recent playoff meetings. Conference alignment, geographic appeal, and market considerations could influence the opponent choice. Historical precedent shows the NHL has staged interdivisional outdoor games, and fan travel and sellout potential will factor into final decisions.
Read at Puck Prose
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