Rangers Stay Undefeated Outdoors with Win in Miami

MIAMI — Even though the beach is a good five and a half miles away, the Rangers keep their outdoor game winning streak alive.

In a surprising turn of events, they achieved a 5-1 win against the Panthers during the 2026 Winter Classic at Lawndepot Park on Friday. This victory marks their sixth in a row in outdoor games since they started this venture 14 years ago.

The way they defended their franchise record was commendable, to say the least.

But beating the defending Stanley Cup champions was a significant moment in a season that’s been, well, a bit lackluster.

The Rangers broke a three-game losing streak with this win during the warmest outdoor game in NHL history, reaching a balmy 61 degrees. It’s hard to believe, really, that this was the first outdoor game ever held in Florida, and beachgoers got a taste of how hockey is played up north.

They effectively managed to fend off five out of six power plays from the Panthers and blocked an impressive 27 shots throughout the game. Even though they only had six shots on goal for each of the first two periods, the Rangers found a way to create and capitalize on quality scoring opportunities.

One standout was a player who netted two power-play goals, marking his fifth of the season.

This was a chance for the Rangers to showcase their skills on national television, in front of a sold-out crowd of 36,153—quite the stage, really.

In a season like this, just having a good game isn’t always enough, but they definitely had something to take pride in. It builds confidence, step by step.

Mika Zibanejad was a force, leading with three goals and two assists, while Artemi Panarin contributed significantly with two goals and one assist. Alexis Lafreniere also had a standout game, providing three assists that added to the team’s overall performance.