NEW YORK -- Just eight days before the first Stadium Series matchup between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, Yankee Stadium is starting to resemble a hockey arena.

Gate 4 gets decked out for hockey. Matt Ehalt for ESPN

As of Saturday afternoon, the boards for the rink were being installed and the ice pans had been put down, but the ice had not been made yet. NHL senior manager of facility operations Mike Craig said Wednesday the goal was to start making ice Saturday. The ice pans keep the ice near its ideal temperature of 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rink runs horizontally from foul line to foul line in the middle of the field.

The roadway that will allow individuals to walk around the field has been constructed, and three stages were built in the outfield that will be part of the entertainment and setup for the games.

The outfield actually still had the Notre Dame end zone markings visible from the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28. The midfield logo for the game could also be seen. Notre Dame beat Rutgers in that contest, 29-16.

An auxiliary rink near home plate was also in its initial stages as the ice pans were set down. The ice had yet to be placed in that rink, as well.

Workers were busy Saturday getting the Stadium ready for the two games, which also includes the Rangers against the New York Islanders on Jan. 29. Drilling sounds reverberated throughout the Stadium as forklifts were driven around the ballpark. There were piles of boards along the base lines, as well.