MIAMI \u2014 The hockey gods bestowed upon the Sunshine State two days with sub-70 temperatures just in time for this year\u2019s Winter Classic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is set to be unlike any other outdoor game the NHL has put on since the Rangers were the first club to participate in one on Sept. 27, 1991, when they took on the Kings in a preseason game on a rink built over the parking lot of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
LoanDepot park, the home of MLB\u2019s Miami Marlins, will open its retractable roof Friday and host the first outdoor hockey game in Florida<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The challengers:\u00a0<\/p>\n The back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, and the Rangers, who will look to maintain their perfect 5-0-0 record in outdoor games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both teams enjoyed lively practices and a family skate that followed. Both teams are also on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. The two points that are up for grabs Friday mean something to each team, making the matchup all the more pivotal in the Eastern Conference race.\u00a0<\/p>\n gor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers follows the puck during practice for the Discover NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a fun practice,\u201d Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin<\/a> said. \u201cBut it\u2019s not going to be a fun game. It\u2019s a battle for us and we need two points as soon as possible. We need to work hard for that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Neither team will be even close to full strength when they take the ice for an 8 p.m. start.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the fact that he\u2019s resumed skating, Matthew Tkachuk (groin) will not play for the Panthers. Captain Aleksander Barkov (knee), Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) and Tomas Nosek (knee) are all unavailable as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n