from Tal Pinchevsky of NHL.com,

Two of the NHL's most intense rivalries will open a new chapter in 2014 by taking the battle outside.

Executives and players from all three teams were on hand Thursday as the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders -- along with the National Hockey League and NHL Players' Association -- officially announced the details of two January games that will take place in Yankee Stadium as part of the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.

The twin bill in the Bronx will feature a Sunday afternoon game on Jan. 26, pitting the Devils against the Rangers (12:30 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC), followed by a Jan. 29 night game between the Islanders and Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN).

It's the start of an incredible week of sports in the metropolitan area, which will also be hosting the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Feb. 2.

"It's no secret that people have urged us to play at Yankee Stadium since the moment it became clear that our outdoor games were such special, unique and fun events," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at Thursday's press conference. "The creation of the Coors Light NHL Stadium Series allowed us to work within the Yankees' scheduling parameters and, just as important, include all three NHL teams from this area at this spectacular place.

"The rivalries between the Rangers, Islanders and Devils are among the most heated in sports. These games in this venue will showcase our players and our sport to a national viewing audience as well as to a variety of visitors who we anticipate will be in the area at that time. I hear a rumor that there is a football game in New Jersey sometime later that week."

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