PHOTOS: 2026 NHL Winter Classic – New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers – 01/02/2026 | Inside The Rink
HomeNHLPHOTOS: 2026 NHL Winter Classic – New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers – 01/02/2026
Photo: Andrew Fielder for Inside The Rink
MIAMI, Fla. – Friday night marked the first-ever NHL outdoor game in Florida, with the Florida Panthers facing the New York Rangers for the 2026 NHL Winter Classic. Held at Miami’s loanDepot park, there was a tropical theme surrounding the rink, with fans not needing to bundle up in winter clothing to stay warm, like traditionally seen at previous Winter Classic games. The retractable roof at the Baseball Park was kept closed while the ice rink was being created, but was opened for the full outdoor experience before the game, with the game-time temperature at 63°F/17°C. The NHL also used an additional mobile refrigeration unit, rather than just one, to ensure the ice stayed frozen in the Florida climate. The New York Rangers took a 5-1 victory, much to the disappointment of the Florida fans. Mika Zibanejad scored the first-ever hat trick in a Winter Classic game and had five points on the night, setting a new NHL outdoor game record.
Click here to read an in-depth recap of the game by ITR’s Kristie Delisi
Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Andrew Fielder for highlights from the outdoor game.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Andrew Fielder is our Jacksonville Icemen Photographer and also our Photography Editor for Inside The Rink.
You can also view his latest hockey photos at www.andrewfielderphotography.com
Two Boston Bruins Prospects Shine Despite Team USA Exit in World Juniors
Team USA was eliminated from the World Junior Championships on Friday and will not win its third consecutive title. However, the Boston Bruins were represented well with two of the US team’s top three performers. The United States was defeated by Finland 4-3 in overtime, ending their hopes of a championship, but a pair of […]
Auston Matthews Record Chase and Olympic News
Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs started the new year off in dramatic style on Thursday night. After being down 4-1, the Leafs clawed their way back into the game and defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-5 in a crazy game. Going into the game, it was unclear if team captain Auston Matthews would even be in the lineup. He missed […]
© 2021-2025 Inside The Rink®
This website has no affiliation to any of the hockey leagues it reports on. All materials not owned by Inside The Rink LLC are used for editorial purposes only. Privacy Policy