via daily news

The Stadium Series comes to Yankee Stadium on Sunday

This Sunday, The Devils will host the Rangers in Yankee Stadium. For the first time in New York City history, the NHL is taking a game outdoors. With all of the transformation happening at Yankee Stadium, it got us thinking about all of the former and current homes of our beloved hockey teams. Here’s a brief history of hockey arenas in (and around) New York City.

Madison Square Garden (III): 1926

via turnontheknicks.com

The first NHL hockey played in NYC came at the host of Original Six franchise, the New York Rangers. On November 16, 1926, Madison Square Garden opened for Ranger hockey, but not the MSG you’re familiar with. The first ever hockey game was played at Madison Square Garden, Part III. Located on 8^th Avenue, 16 blocks north of the current venue, MSG had a capacity of over 15,000 spectators for hockey.

Madison Square Garden (IV): 1968

via flickr / laverrue

In 1968, the Rangers moved to it’s current home, the Madison Square Garden which is currently standing. This was the second ice hockey arena in New York City, and also the most famous. The Garden, as it is affectionately known, is built above Penn Station and recently had a renovation project that lasted several years and cost over $1 billion. In 1995, the Stanley Cup was hoisted for the first, and only, time ever in MSG.

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum: 1972

via newsday

Four years after the Rangers moved to its 33^rd Street home, the NHL brought a team to Long Island. Nassau Coliseum became the home of the Islanders in 1972 and brought four Stanley Cups to the area. This has been the Islanders only home in the teams existence, but that is soon to change

Brendan Byrne Arena/Continental Airlines Arena: 1982

via flickr / Joe Shlabotnik

The fourth home of hockey in the area actually brings us out to the Meadowlands in New Jersey. When the Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey, they took home in the Brendan Byrne Arena. After winning the 1995 Stanley Cup, a naming rights deal was made with Continental Airlines, and thus the Devils became the first NYC area team to play home games in a sponsored arena. The arena is now known as the Izod Center, though the Devils moved away after winning two more Cups but before the name was changed for a second time.

Prudential Center: 2007

via nj.com

In 2007, the Devils moved from East Rutherford to Newark and the newly built Prudential Center. Known as “The Rock” among fans, the dynamic new arena was built with hockey in mind and is easily the nicest of the current area venues. While it doesn’t have the history of its Manhattan rival, it still plays host to some of the biggest events including NCAA Tournaments, Major concerts, and of course Stanley Cup Finals.

Yankee Stadium: 2014

On Sunday, Yankees Stadium becomes the 6^th venue to host an NHL game in the NYC area. The Devils will be the home team versus the Rangers in part of the NHL’s Stadium Series, where they host hockey games in outdoor venues. A few days later, the Islanders will also take to Yankee Stadium to square off against the Rangers.

Barclays Center: 2015

via flickr / Jules Antonio

In 2015, the Islanders will move to the Barclays Center, making it the 7^th venue. Preseason games have already been played in the newly built arena, but no regular season games as of yet.

Tell us your favorite hockey arena on Twitter at @CitySightsNY