NBC to rename Versus just in time for Winter Classic in Philly

There are five games on the NHL schedule for January 2, 2012: Colorado visits Los Angeles, Vancouver hosts San Jose, Chicago takes on Edmonton, Ottawa squares off against New Jersey and the Flyers host the Rangers.

The NHL hasn't confirmed that one of these games will be the 2012 Winter Classic, nor have any of these teams, but NBC Sports announced that they'll be renaming VERSUS as the NBC Sports Network on January 2, citing the annual outdoor game as part of the reasoning for making the change on that day.

I'm sorry to fans of the Devils and Senators, but nobody is going to watch a game between those two teams whether it's outside, inside or on the moon. Only one game on that list could be a potential Winter Classic, and it's Flyers vs. Rangers. HBO said so, too.

But in case you still had your doubts, this is just more evidence: January 2. Citizens Bank Park. New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers. Book it.

The only hold up in that official announcement is a reported dispute between the NHL and the Phillies/Citizens Bank Park on the fee to use the stadium for the game. The game can't be announced until that's all cleared up, and we have to assume it's coming at any time now. Once the game is announced, season ticket holders will know more about ticket info, and we'll all know more about how to get tickets to what should be a pretty awesome event.

PS: We're planning a BSH tailgate for the game. So, you know.