The New York Rangers extended their perfect outdoor record to 6-0-0 with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Friday night’s Winter Classic at loanDepot Park.
Mika Zibanejad recorded the first hat trick in Winter Classic history while adding two assists for a five-point performance. Artemi Panarin contributed two goals and Alexis Lafrenière added three assists in the Rangers’ commanding win.
The victory marked the first outdoor NHL game played in Florida.
Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots for New York, which broke open a tight game with goals from Zibanejad and Panarin 64 seconds apart late in the first period. The quick strikes gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead they never relinquished.
“It’s been amazing. It was a great effort. Not a whole lot of shots on goal, but we got it done.”
Sam Reinhart scored the lone goal for Florida, which was playing outdoors for the first time. The Panthers have now lost four of their last six games overall.
Zibanejad completed his historic hat trick with an empty-net goal with 1:28 remaining. Rangers fans attempted to throw hats onto the ice, but the baseball stadium configuration left the seats too far from the playing surface for any to reach.
THE FIRST EVER #WINTERCLASSIC HAT TRICK!!
Take a bow, Mika Zibanejad! pic.twitter.com/hneG4G59oN
— NHL (@NHL) January 3, 2026
The game featured a unique setup at the home of MLB’s Miami Marlins. The retractable roof remained open, along with massive window panels behind what’s typically left field. Artificial snow fell from the stadium’s edges while fire effects provided additional spectacle.
Game-time temperatures reached 63 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the second-warmest outdoor NHL game on record. Only the February 27, 2016 contest between Detroit and Colorado at Coors Field was warmer at 65 degrees.
Some players complained about ice conditions affecting puck speed in the unusual heat. The surface held up well enough for the Rangers, who entered the game struggling at 4-6-3 over their previous 13 contests.
The Rangers entered the ice at 8:13 p.m. through a snow-effect walkway. Florida followed a minute later as fire shot skyward along their path, with more artificial snowflakes falling as the roof continued opening.
Before the opening faceoff, Rangers and Panthers players selected for the U.S. Olympic team at next month’s Milan Cortina Games were introduced. Seth Jones made the team earlier Friday, joining injured Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk on the roster.
Tkachuk placed an American flag over Jones’ shoulders as the crowd responded enthusiastically.
Both teams embraced the Miami setting with their pre-game presentations. The Rangers wore all-white outfits while the Panthers adopted a “Miami Vice” theme with white suits, pastel shirts, and arrived in Ferraris instead of team buses.
“If you would have asked me 25 years ago… this might be the last place that I thought it would take place. 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.”
Up Next
Rangers: Host Utah on Monday.
Panthers: Host Colorado on Sunday.
