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The NHL's best and worst this week: Predators hope Winter Classic helps shape their identity

This season's Winter Classic between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators is shaping up for impressive optics. The NHL has already sold 84,000 tickets, and they're expecting 85,000 fans to pack the Cotton Bowl to watch Texas' first outdoor hockey game. Steve Mayer, the NHL's Chief Content Officer, has projected the event can bring in more than $30 million for the city of Dallas.

The NHL also says more than 20,000 fans are expected to come in from Nashville -- the biggest total ever for a visiting fan base on New Year's Day.