Lead: On Jan. 2, 2026 in Miami, the New York Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1 in the NHL Winter Classic held at loanDepot Park, the first outdoor NHL game staged in Florida. Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick and became the first player to record five points in a single NHL outdoor game, while Artemi Panarin added two goals and Alexis Lafrenière supplied three assists. Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots as the Rangers improved to 6-0-0 in outdoor contests. The event combined spectacle and sport — artificial snow and pyrotechnics accompanied play on a 63°F (17°C) evening.
Key takeaways
- Mika Zibanejad recorded a hat trick and reached five points, marking the first five-point performance in an NHL outdoor game.
- New York beat Florida 5-1; Artemi Panarin scored twice and Alexis Lafrenière had three assists.
- Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves; Florida outshot New York 37-20 and led in hits 38-20.
- The Winter Classic at loanDepot Park was the NHL’s first outdoor game in Florida and the 44th counted outdoor game, with a game-time temperature of 63°F (17°C).
- Zibanejad’s empty-net goal came with 1:28 remaining; Rangers are now 6-0-0 in outdoor games all-time.
- Players and coaches noted the warm conditions and some irregularities in ice speed, though the league completed the event without postponement.
- Panthers were playing outdoors for the first time and have lost four of their past six games coming into this matchup.
Background
The NHL Winter Classic and related outdoor events began as marquee regular-season showcases designed to push hockey into large, often nontraditional venues. Over more than two decades the league has staged numerous outdoor games — 44 that count in the standings — usually in colder markets; staging one at a major-league baseball park in Miami required extended planning and technical adaptation. The NHL and host organizers have increasingly prioritized spectacle and television-friendly settings while balancing player safety and ice quality.
Warm-weather outdoor games present special challenges: ice refrigeration systems must compensate for higher ambient temperatures and sunlight, and organizers add insulation, shading and extra refrigeration capacity. Teams and the league weigh the marketing benefits of a high-profile southern showcase against the operational risk that heat and humidity pose to puck behavior and skating speed. For the Rangers, the Winter Classic also arrived amid an ordinary regular-season stretch — New York was 4-6-3 in its previous 13 games before Friday night.
Main event
The scoring burst came late in the first period when Zibanejad and Panarin scored 64 seconds apart to give New York a 2-0 advantage. Florida cut the deficit on a Sam Reinhart goal, but the Rangers reasserted control as Panarin added another marker and Zibanejad completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:28 left. Shesterkin’s 36 saves bluntly limited the Panthers’ numerical edge in shots and kept the visitors in command.
Beyond the scoreboard, the setting was theatrical: the roof and large window panels behind left field were open, bursts of fire announced the Panthers’ ice walk, and artificial snow flurries fell from the stadium rim. Rangers players emerged through a snow effect, the Panthers embraced a Miami Vice–themed entrance and several Panthers used Ferraris rather than a team bus — signaling the event’s entertainment focus as much as its competitive purpose.
Several players remarked that the ice felt slower than usual, a predictable consequence of playing outdoors in the 60s Fahrenheit. Still, both teams adapted; Florida recorded 37 shots and out-hit New York 38-20, but could not convert enough opportunities. The Rangers’ special teams and individual finishing — led by Zibanejad and Panarin — proved the decisive margin.
Analysis & implications
For the Rangers, the victory reinforces an unusual piece of franchise lore: they remain unbeaten when playing outdoors (6-0-0). That streak offers a morale boost and a clear narrative advantage for a team seeking momentum; Zibanejad’s five-point night places him in the spotlight ahead of the Olympic break and could influence line deployment in coming games. More broadly, New York’s balanced attack and Shesterkin’s performance underline that goaltending stability combined with opportunistic scoring can neutralize outshot deficits.
For the Panthers, the loss exposes conversion and finishing weaknesses. Despite controlling many plays and outshooting the Rangers, Florida managed only one goal and continues a recent slide, losing four of six games. The coaching staff will likely review how puck management and late-period defensive lapses permitted quick back-to-back goals in the first period, and whether special-teams adjustments can increase scoring efficiency.
At the league level, staging an outdoor regular-season game in Miami tests what the NHL can do in nontraditional hockey climates. Operational success here — the game was played in one night and broadcast without major incident — supports future experiments in warm-weather venues, but the game also highlighted risks: warmer ice can alter skating and puck speed, and stakeholder feedback will shape how the NHL schedules and prepares similar events going forward.
Comparison & data
| Game | Date | Venue | Game-time temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers vs. Panthers (Winter Classic) | Jan. 2, 2026 | loanDepot Park, Miami | 63°F (17°C) |
| Red Wings vs. Avalanche | Feb. 27, 2016 | Coors Field, Denver | 65°F |
This matchup registered as the second warmest of the 44 NHL outdoor games that have counted in the standings; it was about 2°F cooler than the Coors Field game on Feb. 27, 2016. Temperature is a blunt but useful indicator of potential ice issues; organizers offset warmth with refrigeration, shade and timing to limit direct sun exposure. Statistical context shows that warmer outdoor games often produce complaints about speed, but results — including goaltending and finishing — remain decisive factors.
Reactions & quotes
The mood mixed appreciation for the spectacle with respect for the event’s complexity. Players and coaches framed the day as both memorable and professionally demanding.
“I think it’s hard to grasp the whole day. But yeah, a great 12, 16 hours. It’s been a fun day.”
Mika Zibanejad
Zibanejad summarized an extraordinary personal day that included Olympic selection and the on-ice performance.
“The spectacle was incredible. It was just brilliant, the entire kind of weekend.”
Paul Maurice, Panthers coach
Maurice praised the NHL’s production while noting the unique experience for a southern-market game.
“I just think it speaks volumes for technology and its advancements and the ability to put a sheet of ice down in this type of environment.”
Mike Sullivan, Rangers coach
Sullivan emphasized the technical achievement and its implications for hosting outdoor events outside traditional winter markets.
Unconfirmed
- Whether specific micro-freeze patches or slick spots on the ice affected particular scoring chances has not been independently verified by league technical reports.
- It is not yet confirmed whether the NHL will schedule additional southern outdoor games on an annual basis based solely on this event’s outcome.
- Any long-term effects on player conditioning linked directly to this one warm-weather game have not been substantiated by medical or team reports.
Bottom line
The Winter Classic in Miami delivered a high-profile, technically complex spectacle and preserved the Rangers’ unblemished outdoor record, driven by Zibanejad’s historic offensive burst and reliable goaltending from Shesterkin. The Panthers showed competitive qualities — outshooting New York and posting more hits — but could not convert enough chances to win at home-field spectacle.
Operationally the NHL proved it can stage an outdoor regular-season game in a warm-weather market, but the matchup also reinforced known caveats: ice in the 60s can affect play speed and requires extra resources to maintain quality. For fans, the game was memorable; for teams, the takeaways will focus on execution, special-teams adjustments and how each club manages the upcoming schedule and Olympic break.
Sources
- ESPN (media — sports news)