What seems like a complex philosophical riddle actually has a simple answer: yes.

But how cold is too cold? The NHL brain trust is staying silent.

Despite the fact that league representatives say they have a cut-off point, at which point the professional teams wouldn't play outside, they won't say what it is. All they will say is that it likely won't get that cold.

But should a blizzard hit or the thermometer dip below that mysterious integer on Saturday, the outdoor game between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens would be postponed until Sunday and played indoors at SkyReach Centre.

"I think weather will play a huge part," said Canadiens captain Saku Koivu.

"If the weather is reasonable, I think it's going to be fun. If it gets to be minus-20 and snowing, then it's going to be a different game."

According to long-range weather forecasts for Edmonton, Saturday's temperature will hover around -10 °C with no snow or heavy rain expected.

Whatever the conditions, Canadiens coach Claude Julien says his team will be ready.

"It's something we may have to adjust with," said Julien.

"There are a lot of things that could be surprises, unexpected things happening. You have to prepare the best way you can for those situations. It's a very unique situation, an exciting situation."

Both team's benches will be equipped with heaters. After consulting with some friends on football teams, Canadiens trainer Pierre Gervais ordered the same underwear that NFL and CFL-ers wear keep warm.

The MegaStars Game, featuring former starts from the Oilers and Canadiens is a go, no matter how frosty it gets.

"We would play if it was 40 below, it wouldn't bother us," said Wayne Gretzky, who will be playing in his first, last and only old-timers game.

"We're ready to play any time."

Former Canadiens star defenceman Larry Robinson is relishing the idea of an old-fashioned game of outdoor shinny.

"That's where I learned to play," said Robinson. "I never really played indoor games until I was eight or 10 years old. "

But should snow start to fall, Robinson doesn't want to be the only one pushing the shovel.

"I hope we get a lot more help cleaning the rink off than we did back then. It never failed -- you'd get the last shovel of snow off the ice and everybody showed up."