The NHL likes to escape the confines of the indoor rinks every once in a while and will be doing just that on Saturday with the return of the Stadium Series.
This isn't just a regular season game played outside though, but rather an opportunity for the National Hockey League to put on a spectacle.
From performances by rock legends to actual penguins being present to watch their Pittsburgh namesakes, in the past the Stadium Series has been a chance for the NHL to show off all they have to offer.
Want to know more about the Stadium Series and this year's game? This article should give you all the information you need ahead of Saturday's showdown.
What is the NHL Stadium Series?
Since 2008, the NHL has staged at least one outdoor game a year, beginning with the Winter Classic, sprinkling in a few Heritage Classics infrequently and then adding the Stadium Series in 2014.
The original idea was to stage a series of games at outdoor venues with three games taking place in the first year of the Stadium Series in Los Angeles and New York.
That number has fluctuated over time but since 2017 only one Stadium Series game has been held per season.
The event sees the NHL take over what is traditionally either an American football or baseball stadium and turn it into an ice rink, anywhere in the country.
From the traditional hockey heartlands, all the way to California, the NHL has proven capable of staging a game anywhere in the United States.
Mother Nature hasn't always wanted to play ball with outdoor games delayed due to inclement weather in the past but Stadium Series games have gone off without a hitch to date.
Who has played in the most NHL Stadium Series games?
The Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins have both played in three Stadium Series games with the Kings playing in the very first match against the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium in January 2014.
The Kings have also played in the best-attended Stadium Series fixture with over 70,000 people packing Levi's Stadium to watch them beat the San Jose Sharks in 2015.
That contest just edges out the Penguins' Battle of Pennsylvania with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019 which saw over 69,000 spectators watch a 4-3 win for the Flyers.
When is the 2022 NHL Stadium Series?
After a year off, the 12th edition of the Stadium Series will take place on Saturday 25th February at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The game will be available to watch on our Sports Live Streaming service, while away from the on-ice action, the entertainment will be provided by stars of the Country music scene, including Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley.
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Who is playing in this year's NHL Stadium Series?
For the first time in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Lightning will step into the sunlight for an outdoor game in the regular season.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions will head to Music City to face the Nashville Predators, who lost their only previous outdoor game against the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Winter Classic.
This time, the Preds will have home ice advantage for what is a crunch game in their season as they fight to secure a playoff spot in the Central Division. At the time of writing, Nashville occupy a wild card berth but have been struggling since the All-Star break.
The goals have dried up for the Predators, who also haven't been helped by a tough run of games against the likes of the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Life doesn't get any easier with the visit of a Lightning team engaged in a back and forth battle with the Panthers for top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Tampa Bay are 2/1 to win the division title for a third time in four seasons and need to keep up the pressure on their Sunshine State rivals, who are a 4/6 to win the Atlantic.
The Lightning have been in good form of late and have been excellent on the road all season, boasting a division-best record of 16-7-2 on their travels.
They'll be out to spoil the party in Music City and their extra bit of quality could give them an edge over a Nashville side that had been performing above and beyond expectations this season before their recent slump.
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