Part of finding success in a game like this is dealing with the elements. As of the afternoon on Dec. 30, the forecast in Dallas is actually quite good. A prediction of cloud cover with temperatures hovering near 50 is about as ideal as one could hope for in Texas this time of year, and if that holds, weather shouldn't be a huge factor.
However, there are other aspects to consider as described by Preds forward Matt Duchene, who is set to skate in his third outdoor game as an NHLer.
"The big thing is you've got to prepare for anything you can," Duchene said. "You have to prepare for good ice, bad ice, a good hockey game, kind of a weird game - you don't really know what's going to be thrown at you, so you just try to adapt and not get rattled by that. You almost can't prepare the same, it's just impossible and you just try and take it as it comes and try and be the best you can be."
The Predators will get a feel for things like ice conditions, sightlines and other potential items that can't be addressed until they actually step on the ice for the first time. That will come Tuesday afternoon at the Cotton Bowl before the real thing comes at 1 p.m. CT on New Year's Day.
The excitement was palpable in the Nashville locker room on Monday, and it's emanating through the fan base too. According to the NHL, more than 20,000 fans are travelling from Nashville alone, the highest total the League has ever seen from a visiting club for an outdoor game.
Word of that statistic made it back to the Preds, and while it's a staggering figure, they're not the least bit surprised.
"Our fans have been unbelievable, and now they're coming down to Dallas to make some noise," Laviolette said. "We're happy about that, and it's nice to know that the following is there and that they're moving their way to Dallas. That just adds to it, and it's going to be a great event."
"I'd expect nothing less from these fans and from this city," Rinne grinned. "We're going into Dallas territory, and just the fact that that many of our fans are going to be there, it's not going to feel like we're in their grounds. I can't wait to see it, and hopefully we can give them a good game."
Wednesday brings an opportunity for the Preds to feel like kids again on the backyard pond, if only for a moment. Once the puck drops, it's all business.
What a start to the year it could be.
"We'll try to enjoy it, but it's two points," Rinne said. "Right now, we are in a jam. Every point is crucial for us, so obviously we've got to treat it as the biggest game of the year."