Raymond James Stadium is set to host the NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1, and the game could make history in more ways than one.

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida isn’t Canada, and it doesn’t take more than walking outside in late January to see that.

But with the proper preparation, the NHL still thinks it is the perfect environment to grow a game most known for living below freezing.

Raymond James Stadium is set to host the NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1, just the second outdoor game ever in the state of Florida after last month’s Winter Classic in Miami. The hockey game will be the first at a football stadium in Florida and is expected to be the most attended NHL game in the state’s history, with an estimated 65,000 set to pack the stands. 

Bringing hockey to Florida took so long because it’s not so simple. The climate poses a challenge to keeping the ice cold and safe for players.

Forecasts say the weather in Tampa will be in the low-to-mid 60s on Feb. 1, which would make it one of the warmest outdoor games in NHL history. The current record-holder is the 2016 Stadium Series game at Coors Field in Denver where it was 65 degrees at puck drop.

“If we were dealing with 80-degree days, 70-degree days, it’s not easy to maintain, but the fact that we’re building in a controlled environment and then exposing the rink for the just a few hours of the game, I think we’re going to be okay,” NHL President of Content and Events Steve Mayer said.

The focus of the outdoor game is on far more than just the ice itself — but the potential to grow the game off it.

“We’re finding that these games in Florida are not only reaching hockey fans, but they’re reaching sports fans,” Mayer said.

While Tampa may not be considered a traditional hockey market, the team’s successes have led to a rapid growth of the fan base from 2,000 season ticket holders 15 years ago to 16,000 today.

“It’s a testament to the community and believing in what we’re doing here,” Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said.

The NHL hopes this game can be a step towards continuing that growth.

“It just shows that hockey is for real here,” Mayer said. “When these games leave town, the popularity of the sport absolutely increases.

“This is just not a Tampa event. This is seen around the world, and this is a great chance for us to show Tampa to the rest of the world. That’s so important.”