Can the Rangers Stay Undefeated Outdoors in South Florida?
The 2026 Winter Classic is just two days away, and at least one group of fans is excited. As bold as it is for an outdoor game to take place in South Florida, the Florida Panthers are ready to take on the New York Rangers. Though Florida is looking to defend their home against these Blueshirts, New York is looking to protect their dominance outdoors. Since 2012, the Rangers have proven they can put on quite a thriller when playing outside, and they’ve been rewarded with a perfect 5-0 record outdoors. For the Panthers, they'll take the ice outdoors for the first time in their franchise history, and they're looking to snap New York's perfect record. With an inconsistent Rangers team against a Panthers team that can still go all the way, can the Rangers continue their perfect record?
Since their thriller of a win in the 2024 Stadium Series against the New York Islanders, this Rangers team is nowhere near the same, leaving many New York fans in doubt. The Florida Panthers may have started slow this season, but they've climbed back up and continue to show why they're the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. Those Blueshirts have had some heartbreaking losses this season, but they've still got the pieces to keep their perfect record alive. Though they continue without J.T. Miller, the return of their star defenseman, Adam Fox, gives them quite the defensive edge. When it comes to goaltending, fans will be treated to quite a rematch between star goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky. Fans know when these two hit the ice, games like this can go either way when both goalies are locked in, which they most likely will be. Defense and goaltending are one thing; what comes down to this Winter Classic is whether these Rangers forwards can get the puck in the net.
Leading the NHL in getting shutout eight times, these Rangers seem to do anything except put the puck in the net 20% of the time. If there's anything these Rangers need to do on Friday, it's throw the puck at the net, no matter what's in front of them. The talent they have in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad when it comes to shooting, they can't think twice when it comes to shooting. With the return of Adam Fox, that power play will need to come through as well if they can survive against this Florida team. Florida fights to defend their home, New York fights to remain perfect outside, who takes the battle in warm Miami?
