The Rangers Own the Outdoors: Zibanejad dominates 2026 Winter Classic

Hockey usually belongs on frozen ponds in Minnesota or inside drafty arenas in Canada. But the NHL loves a spectacle, so naturally, they decided to drop an ice sheet into the middle of a baseball stadium in Miami. While the Florida Panthers were busy driving Ferraris and wearing pastel suits like they were auditioning for a Miami Vice reboot, the New York Rangers showed up to handle actual business.

And handle business they did. In front of a sellout crowd that was probably sweating through their hockey jerseys, New York dismantled the hosts 5-1. It was not just a win. It was a statement. The Blueshirts remain undefeated in outdoor games, improving to a perfect 6-0-0 when they take the roof off.

Zibanejad makes history while Florida melts

Mika Zibanejad had the kind of day most professional athletes only dream about. First, he gets the call that he made the Swedish Olympic team. That is a career highlight on its own. Then he steps onto a baseball field and absolutely torches the Panthers for three periods. Zibanejad racked up five points, including a hat trick that left the Florida defense looking like traffic cones.

He did not just play well. He set a record. That five-point performance is the most by any player in the history of NHL outdoor games. He broke the previous record set by Jordan Kyrou back in 2022. Zibanejad looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else out there. He redirected pucks, set up screens, and eventually sealed the deal with an empty-netter. It was a masterclass in offensive efficiency.

The Rangers spoil the South Beach party

You have to give credit to the Panthers for the aesthetics. They leaned hard into the theme. We are talking white suits, pastel shirts, and an entrance that involved sports cars instead of a team bus. It was a vibe. Unfortunately for them, you do not get points for style in the NHL standings.

The Rangers opted for a cleaner look, arriving in all-white outfits that made them look like they were heading to a high-end beach club. Once the puck dropped, the difference in intensity was obvious. The Panthers gave up two goals in a span of 64 seconds late in the first period, and the air just went out of loanDepot Park. For a team that has been struggling lately, losing four of its last six, this was not the bounce-back performance they needed.

Artemi Panarin was riding shotgun on the Zibanejad express. He tallied two goals and an assist, putting him in elite company for outdoor scoring. He is now tied for the most career points in outdoor games. The chemistry between him, Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere (who casually dropped three assists) was undeniable. They treated the Panthers’ defensive zone like a playground.

A spectacle of fire and fake snow

Let’s talk about the weirdness of playing hockey in 63-degree weather. It was the warmest Winter Classic ever. The roof was open. There were blasts of fire. There was artificial snow falling from the stadium rafters, which felt a little sarcastic when it was warm enough to wear shorts.

Despite the humidity and the fact that ice usually hates Florida weather, the surface held up well enough for the Rangers to skate circles around the home team. Panthers coach Paul Maurice called the event “spectacular” and credited the NHL for pulling it off. He also admitted that it is a lot more fun for the team that wins. He is right. For the Panthers, it was a cool photo op that ended in a blowout loss.

Injury adds insult to injury for Florida

The night got worse for Florida beyond the scoreboard. Defenseman Seth Jones took a hit high from Lafreniere in the first period and did not return. Jones, who had just been named to the U.S. Olympic roster hours earlier, left with an upper-body injury. That is the nightmare scenario for any coach or fan. You want the spectacle, but you definitely do not want to lose a key piece of your blue line in a game that felt over by the second intermission.

While the Panthers lick their wounds and check on Jones, the Rangers are flying high. They came into a foreign environment, ignored the distractions, and played a complete game. Igor Shesterkin was his usual solid self, stopping 36 shots and refusing to let Florida generate any momentum.

The NHL got its show. The fans got their fire and fake snow. But the New York Rangers? They got the only thing that actually matters. Two points.