Panthers legendary goaltender Roberto Luongo took to X to challenge the Rangers' fabled netminder Henrik Lundqvist for a square-off at the annual alumni game that takes place between the two franchises that play in the Winter Classic each year.

The southernmost matchup in NHL history and the first of two outdoor games that will be played in the Sunshine State next season, the Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2. It will be the 17th NHL Winter Classic and the 44th NHL regular-season outdoor game.

The New York Rangers didn't have to fend for themselves without their prized goaltender for long. Igor Shesterkin is set to return to the cage on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden after missing four games to an upper-body injury per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

The Rangers’ 2025-26 schedule will include another outdoor game, with the Blueshirts set to face the Panthers in the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2, 2026, the league announced Wednesday.

Classic is headed to Florida for the first time in NHL history. The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers are set to face off in the 2026 event

The Florida Panthers are going to host the NHL Winter Classic. They will be facing one of the oldest rivals of the Panthers: the New York Rangers. That's right, first the Rangers go to Mystery, Alaska, and now they'll play in the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history. The 2026 Winter Classic will take place at loanDepot Park on Jan. 2, 2026.

The NHL announced today that the Discover 2026 NHL Winter Classic will feature the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at loanDepot park, home of Marlins, on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

The Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Winter Classic next season against the New York Rangers at retractable roof loanDepot Park in Miami, the NHL announced Wednesday. The game will take place Jan. 2, 2026.

The “Sunshine State” has hosted the Eastern Conference Champion each of the last five seasons. In 2026, it will host a pair of outdoor games. The game will occur at loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins.

There are few teams riding as high as the Colorado Avalanche of late. With points in eight straight games, including an impressive win over the Florida Panthers, the Avalanche have challenges ahead but looked to have an easy road win coming in the form of the Chicago Blackhawks.

After a road win in Boston and a couple of days off from game play back at home, the New York Islanders return to game action out west against the league-best Vegas Golden Knights. They lead the NHL in both raw points and points percentage,