NEW YORK—In what experts are calling a bold experiment in athletic anonymity, the National Hockey League announced Sunday it will proceed with a Stanley Cup Final matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes, despite widespread concern that no one outside their immediate families will actually watch.

“We are proud to showcase the very best hockey played between cities that most Americans can’t locate without Google Maps,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said while unveiling promotional materials that featured a blank white screen. “This is a triumph for small-market teams, and also for those who enjoy sporting events they can have entirely to themselves.”

Early projections estimate the Stanley Cup Final will draw even fewer viewers than the highly anticipated North Dakota Lawn Bowling Invitational, with the NHL reportedly considering options including Facetiming fans individually and projecting games onto casino walls. “I plan to tune in if I remember,” promised lifelong Hurricanes supporter Dale Spence, who last watched a live game in 2013. “I think I still have ESPN 7 somewhere in my cable package. Maybe.”

Vegas native and noted Golden Knights enthusiast Tiffany Blazer expressed excitement for the series. “It’s a chance for the world to finally see what Vegas hockey is all about,” she explained, “as soon as they’re done binge-watching reruns of Matlock.”

Meanwhile, sports bar owner Randy Gruber is bracing for the challenge ahead. “We’ve already started training our staff to recognize hockey as a sport,” Gruber said. “We’re placing educational pamphlets on the tables next to the trivia night scorecards.”

Despite the bleak outlook, NHL officials remain optimistic. As Bettman concluded, “We’re confident this series will capture the hearts of dozens, perhaps even literally tens of viewers nationwide.”