On a balmy Miami night that felt more like a summer festival than a midwinter hockey showdown, the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers transformed loanDepot Park into a spectacle that will be remembered for generations. The 2026 NHL Winter Classic, the first outdoor game ever staged in Florida, was a collision of style, history, and high-octane hockey, with the New York Rangers ultimately skating off with a resounding 5-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
From the moment the Panthers arrived in Ferraris, cigars in hand and decked out in all-white “Miami Vice” attire, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your average hockey game. The Rangers, not to be outdone, showed up in matching all-white suits and sunglasses, channeling a day-at-the-beach vibe that fit right in with the South Florida scene. The crowd of 36,153—sold out and buzzing with anticipation—was peppered with celebrities, including football legend Tom Brady, all eager to witness history in the making.
“They said it couldn’t be done,” boomed the public address announcer as artificial snow drifted into the stands and pyrotechnics lit up the Miami skyline. “They said it shouldn’t be done. But tonight, history and modern science meet here in the Sunshine State.” With the retractable roof of loanDepot Park opening just before puck drop, revealing a clear night sky and the city’s glowing high-rises, the scene was set for something special. Puerto Rican artist Luis Fonsi amped up the energy with a live performance, and Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo presided over the ceremonial puck drop, signaling the start of a game that would blend spectacle with substance.
But the real fireworks came from the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, who delivered a performance for the ages. Named to Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster earlier in the day, Zibanejad capped off a whirlwind 12 hours by notching the first hat trick in Winter Classic history and racking up five points—the first player ever to do so in an NHL outdoor game. “I think it’s hard to grasp the whole day,” Zibanejad said after the game. “But yeah, a great 12, 16 hours. It’s been a fun day.”
Zibanejad’s scoring spree began with a power-play goal, assisted by Alexis Lafreniere, tying the Rangers’ all-time record for power-play goals at 116. Lafreniere set him up again for a two-on-one tally in the second period, and Zibanejad completed his hat trick with a short-handed empty-netter, sending Rangers fans into a frenzy—even if their attempts to toss hats onto the ice were foiled by the distance from the stands. “He’s one of our core players,” said Rangers coach Mike Sullivan. “We rely on him in so many circumstances out there on both sides of the puck.”
Artemi Panarin added two goals for New York, while Lafreniere was a playmaking force with three assists. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves, standing tall as the Panthers outshot the Rangers 37-20 and outhit them 38-20. “It was a great effort. Not a whole lot of shots on goal, but we got it done,” Zibanejad said, downplaying the statistical imbalance with a shrug.
For the Panthers, Sam Reinhart provided their lone bright spot, scoring a power-play goal in the third period. It was a tough night for Florida, who were playing outdoors for the first time and suffered their fourth loss in six games. The temperature at puck drop was a balmy 63 degrees Fahrenheit—the second-warmest outdoor NHL game on record. Not exactly traditional hockey weather, but the ice held up well enough, even if some players grumbled about the slower surface.
“A Southern setting [and] the ice was fine,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said, tipping his cap to the NHL for pulling off what he called a “spectacular” event. “The spectacle was incredible. It was just brilliant, the entire kind of weekend. ... I would imagine the Rangers really loved it. But for the losing coach, it was an incredible memory.”
Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad echoed the sentiment: “Awesome experience. Really happy I was able to experience something like this. Would have loved to get the win, but at the end of the day, a true first-class experience.”
Before the puck dropped, there was another moment of celebration as players named to the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games were introduced. Panthers defenseman Seth Jones and injured forward Matthew Tkachuk received raucous applause, with Tkachuk draping an American flag over Jones’ shoulders. The international flair added yet another layer to an already star-studded evening.
For the Panthers’ leadership, the night was tinged with nostalgia. General manager Bill Zito, whose career began in baseball as a Milwaukee Brewers batboy, reflected on the full-circle moment of hosting a hockey game on a baseball field. “The lessons I learned from that experience impact me, and really then via me, our organization on a daily basis,” Zito said. “I’m not here today if I hadn’t had that good fortune.”
Coach Paul Maurice, surveying the palm tree-lined stadium and throngs of fans in Panthers and Rangers gear, marveled at how far hockey in South Florida has come. “How much different the game was 30 years ago, 20 years ago that you’re in Miami, you’ve got your whole team getting in the Ferraris. I didn’t really think there would be that many fans outside. It was like a version of our parade. It is an awesome spectacle. The game itself—not just in Florida—but the pure hockey game, for me, is better than it’s ever been.”
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, too, was in awe of the technological feat. “If you would have asked me 25 years ago ... this might be the last place that I thought it would take place,” he said. “So 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.”
The Rangers, now 6-0-0 in outdoor games, continue to cement their reputation as the NHL’s kings of the open air. Zibanejad’s MVP night was capped off with the awarding of “The Cocoa Cup,” a fitting prize for a player who seems to thrive under the brightest lights and biggest stages. “Good player,” Lafreniere said with a smile. “He’s one of our best players, one of our leaders, so it’s good to see him play like that.”
As the final horn sounded and artificial snow drifted down onto the ice, the Rangers celebrated a milestone win, while the Panthers and their fans soaked in a night that redefined what’s possible for hockey in the Sunshine State. The Winter Classic in Miami was more than just a game—it was a testament to how far the sport has come, and a promise of even bigger things to come in the world of hockey.