The set-up: The Buffalo Sabres hosted the first Winter Classic back in 2008 and will participate in the event exactly 10 years later on Monday afternoon, when they take on the New York Rangers in frigid temperatures at Citi Field in Queens (it was 10 degrees last night in Times Square for New Year's Rockin' Eve!). The 10-20-8 Sabres are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 28 points but have been playing better hockey of late with points in three of their last four games. Meanwhile, the 20-13-5 New York Rangers have earned points in six of their last seven games (4-1-2). The Rangers' 45 points leave them fourth in the top-heavy Metropolitan Division but New York would qualify as a wild card if the season ended right now. The Sabres lost 2-1 in a shootout against Pittsburgh in the inaugural Classic, while the Rangers are making their second appearance in the Winter Classic as well, having beaten Philadelphia 3-2 in the 2012 outdoor event.

Buffalo: Head coach Phil Housley said there is a good vibe around the team and Buffalo is coming off an exciting 4-3, come-from-behind overtime victory at New Jersey on Friday. The hottest player in the league could be Sabres center Jack Eichel, who has scored seven goals in his past six games. Eichel scored two goals Friday, giving him 15 this season. "Most kids, I think, dream of playing in this game, and I was no different," said Eichel, who brings a four-game point-scoring streak into Monday. "I am just so excited to be a part of it." He has taken over the scoring lead (1 5goals & 35 points). LW Evander Kane has registered 11 of his 34 points in the last 12 contests. He also has 15 goals.

NY Rangers: New York will be without Chris Kreider, who is tied for second on the team with 11 goals, for about two months due to a blood clot in his right arm. Mats Zuccarello (team-high 29 points) has not landed on the scoresheet in three games, J.T. Miller has notched one point in five contests, Pavel Buchnevich has gone without a goal for seven matches and Mika Zibanejad is pointless in his last seven outings. New York will need the previously mentioned players and others, to step up.The Rangers are relying a lot on Henrik Lundqvist (422 career wins), who went 5-3-2 with a .936 save percentage in December.

The pick: The Rangers sit just six points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division but they are also just five points above the bottom! This may be a showcase game for the NHL but the Rangers need the two points! Lundqvist is a perfect 3-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in outdoor games but I'm expecting this to be an entertaining game with enough goals to make the Over a 10* play.