Devils (and Rangers and Islanders) fans — let is sync in — and you’ll see having 2 outdoor games at Yankee Stadium in ’14 is purely brilliant

TSN today announced there will be six outdoor games in the NHL — and I am surprised, I must admit, by the number of people who don’t like this.

Among the six matches to be played (see the graphic for the entire slate ) are two games at Yankee Stadium. The Devils will host the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26 — and the Rangers will host the Islanders on Jan. 29.

Now before you start throwing out that this will water down the outdoor hockey experience, I want you (especially Devils fans) to think about a few things.

First, the timing.

The two games at Yankee Stadium will take place in-between the NFL conference finals and the Super Bowl which, remember, is to be played in New Jersey.

Folks, this is purely brilliant.

That week — in between NFL games — is one that has very little pizzaz at all. Aside from radio row events for the Super Bowl, just think about this for a moment.

Thousands of media will already be in the metro area for the Super Bowl.

The pure excitement of what this will bring locally won’t be matched by much else. Seriously. 

Think about it for a moment? What could bring more excitement to the Devils, Rangers and Islanders than outdoor games?

Now this part is for Devils fans only — and perhaps the Islanders fans, too.

We’ve all seen the excitement of the Winter Classic. And that’s been with two teams that have never been ours.

And if you’ve wanted to see the Devils play outdoors — think about this carefully folks.

If this special series wasn’t concocted, there isn’t a chance in hell we’d ever get to see our team play an outdoor game. It simply would never happen under a once-a-year scenario.

Ever.

This concept, to me, is purely brilliant. 

But with that said, I believe it should be a one-time only deal. And I’d be perfectly happy if this were the one-and-only time the Devils played an outdoor game.

What this will generate economically, in interest and in excitement will be unparalleled in this area — for both games. And while right now, many just see this as too many outdoor games for one season, I’ll ask once more: As much as you’ve enjoyed the Winter Classic, can you honestly say you enjoyed it as much watching two teams NOT the Devils playing in the game as you would if the Devils were in the Winter Classic?

The answer is no.

And the NHL is making it possible for the fans of the Metropolitan Area to see all three teams play outside the very same week the Super Bowl is to be played, in New Jersey, in cold weather, for the very first time.

If you can’t see just how exciting that will be, I can’t help but think you just might not get it.

But I do believe once all the rationale sinks in, it’ll make much more sense — and you’ll see why this is one of the strongest moves Gary Bettman has ever made as commissioner.

Ever.