Miami Mika keeps Rangers perfect outdoors, makes Winter Classic history

The New York Rangers entered the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park — home of the Miami Marlins — fishing for a much‑needed win against the Florida Panthers. The matchup marked the NHL’s first‑ever outdoor game in Florida, adding another layer of spectacle to an already high‑stakes event.

Beyond the novelty of the setting, the Rangers were facing a team they’re directly chasing in the NHL wild‑card race. New York remained without JT Miller and had recently lost Noah Laba (upper body) and Conor Sheary (lower body) to long‑term injuries, while Adam Fox’s return came on the heels of his disappointing Olympic snub.

The Florida vibes were in full effect as the Rangers took the ice under an open retractable roof, with Luis Fonsi performing “Despacito” live as faux snow drifted from above.

The Rangers brought their perfect outdoor record to Miami against Sergei Bobrovsky — the same goalie they beat for their first outdoor win back at Citizens Bank Park in the 2012 Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Florida had injury issues of its own heading into the game, with Mathew Tkachuk and Sasha Barkov sidelined. Their situation worsened late in the first period when Seth Jones took a puck up high near the collarbone and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

That blow seemed to deflate the Panthers early, and the Rangers pounced on an injury‑plagued lineup

New York established a strong net‑front presence and scored twice just 1:04 apart late in the first period. Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring on a power‑play one‑timer off a sharp feed from Alexis Lafrenière. Moments later, Artemi Panarin floated a long wrister through heavy traffic — a puck with eyes — that found its way past Panarin’s close friend Bobrovsky.

The Rangers picked up right where they left off, extending the lead to 3–0 early in the second on another Zibanejad goal. The play began when Vincent Trocheck lost an edge but managed a slick, improvised backhand pass from his backside to Lafrenière, who immediately fed Zibanejad for the finish.

Florida opened the third period with a power‑play goal from Sam Reinhart to pull within striking distance, but that was as close as the Panthers would get.

Zibanejad continued his dominant night, completing a five‑point performance — the most ever in an NHL outdoor game — with an empty‑net shorthanded hat trick, becoming the first player to score three goals in a Winter Classic.

“Miami Mika” earned the TNT Cocoa Cup Player of the Game and a 24‑karat Winter Classic chain so massive it would make Lil Jon jealous.

Beyond Zibanejad’s brilliance, the Rangers had plenty of positives. Panarin was a puck magnet, posting two goals and an assist. Lafrenière delivered three decisive helpers in one of his strongest outings of the season. Igor Shesterkin was outstanding, stopping 36 of 37 shots.

The Rangers took care of business and dominated the Panthers in front of a sold‑out crowd of more than 33,000 fans at LoanDepot Park.

They now sit at 19‑4‑4 when scoring two or more goals, have 15 road wins, and remain a perfect 6‑0 in outdoor games

This primetime performance from the Broadway Blueshirts is absolutely something they can build on. When the lights were literally the brightest, the Rangers simplified their game — and delivered.