Outdoor Hockey
Rangers defeat Panthers 5-1 in first Florida Winter Classic
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
The New York Rangers secured a 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on January 2, marking the first outdoor NHL game in the Sunshine State. Mika Zibanejad led the way with a hat trick and five points, setting records for the event. The game drew a sellout crowd of 36,153 under unseasonably warm conditions.
Building on the NHL's announcement of the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series featuring the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, ESPN has revealed advanced production elements for the February 1 outdoor game. Airing at 6:30 p.m. ET with coverage starting at 6 p.m., the broadcast marks the fifth straight year of the event on ESPN platforms and includes celebrity interviews, special performances, and cutting-edge tech.
Reported by AI
Building on the announcement of the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game pitting the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Boston Bruins on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium, the league has unveiled specifics of a massive air-conditioned tent designed to create a regulation ice rink amid Tampa's humid conditions. This follows Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's long push for an outdoor game and the recent Winter Classic in Miami.