Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 3 Stadium Series Opponents Besides New York Rangers

By Nick Villano

New Jersey Devils left wing Patrik Elias (26) shakes hands with New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) the Stadium Series hockey game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils left wing Patrik Elias (26) shakes hands with New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) the Stadium Series hockey game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Jersey Devils are rumored to be a host to a future Stadium Series game. They have options besides the New York Rangers that could make for a fun matchup. 

Back in 2014, the New Jersey Devils were given the spotlight at Yankee Stadium, playing the first of two Stadium Series games against the New York Rangers. The New York Islanders played the other one. It was the second-ever Stadium Series game, so it felt special the Devils were being put in the spotlight. Even when the Devils were winning Stanley Cups, it felt like the NHL didn’t give them a marketing backup. This felt different. Despite the terrible performance, the Devils got some spotlight, and it felt good.

On Tuesday, we learned the Devils will likely play in another Stadium Series game. Former Devils goalie and current ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes broke the rumor.

https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/status/1628128267193487379

There have been rematches in outdoor games, but it is hard to say the Devils should just keep playing the Rangers and Rangers only in these outdoor games. We get it, the Rangers are the draw of the Tri-State area. However, there are other teams to target. One is a rival that some consider on the same level to the Rangers despite their recent struggles.

New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79): Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Philadelphia Flyers

The Devils and Philadelphia Flyers share the same regional fight as the Devils and Rangers, only in a different area. While people in Newark, Union and Perth Amboy are fighting over Devils-Rangers, fans in Trenton, Princeton, and Atlantic City are fighting over the Devils and Flyers. The Flyers have been in many outdoor games already. Four years ago, the Penguins-Flyers Stadium Series game had close to 2 million viewers. That’s a draw for the NHL.

The issue here is the Flyers are terrible. They stand seventh in the Metropolitan Division, and it could get even worse next season. John Tortorella can’t get this team much better than competitive. That might push the NHL to look for a different opponent.

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