Leafs to battle Red Wings in 2014 Winter Classic

DETROIT – The NHL’s Winter Classic is getting a do-over.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will get a chance to play the Detroit Red Wings in the outdoor game at Michigan Stadium on Jan. 1, 2014, a year after it was originally scheduled.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., stadium – nicknamed “The Big House” – holds just over 107,000 fans, so it’s anticipated the game will mark a world record for hockey attendance.

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“The history of the teams’ cross-border rivalry, the nobility of The Big House and the growing tradition of the NHL Winter Classic will raise the anticipation for this event to new heights,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at a press conference at Joe Louis Arena.

The Leafs and Wings had been scheduled to play the 2013 edition, but it was cancelled due to the NHL lockout. The teams will be division rivals for the 2014 game after NHL realignment for 2013-14 sent Detroit back to the Eastern Conference.

The Leafs and Red Wings have a long rivalry. Detroit (275-273-93-3) has captured 646 points against Toronto all-time during the regular season, holding a slim advantage over Toronto’s 645 (276-275-93-0) against Detroit.

The 117 playoff games between the franchises is the second most in NHL history behind Boston versus Montreal (170).

Bettman also announced the series HBO “24/7” will return, profiling the Leafs and Red Wings.