All things considered, though, the Utah Hockey Club performed at an elite level on Wednesday, despite losing 4-1 to the Florida Panthers (It was a 2-1 game with two empty-net goals). Utah kept up on both ends of the ice,

The NHL announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami — home of baseball’s Marlins — on Jan. 2, 2026, in the Winter Classic, with the Tampa Bay Lightning playing host to the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026, in a Stadium Series game.

Outdoor games have become a staple of the NHL's regular season schedule with contests being staged in some of baseball's and football's most iconic stadiums. The NHL has even held

Classic will feature the Panthers against the Rangers at the Miami Marlins' home park and the Stadium Series game will be played between the Lightning and Bruins at the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On Wednesday, the NHL revealed the league’s unique idea by announcing the 2026 Winter Classic will be played in South Florida at loanDepot park, the home of MLB’s Miami Marlins, on January 2.

The Panthers will play host to the Rangers​ at loanDepot Park in Miami -- home of baseball's Marlins -- on Jan. 2, 2026, the NHL said Wednesday.