With 5 points in a 5-1 win over the Panthers, Mika Zibanejad was awarded “The Cocoa Cup” after the game, given to the MVP at the Winter Classic. Carmen Mandato / Getty Images
By Peter Baugh
Jan. 2, 2026Updated Jan. 3, 2026 12:21 am EST
MIAMI — New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad scored the first hat trick in NHL Winter Classic history Friday, capping it off with an empty net goal to seal a 5-1 Rangers win against the Florida Panthers at LoanDepot Park in Miami. He had 5 points on the night, a record for outdoor games.
Zibanejad’s first goal came on the power play. Alexis Lafrenière fed him as he cut to the net, and he redirected it in. The goal was the 116th power-play goal of his Rangers career, tying Chris Kreider and Camille Henry for the team record.
Lafrenière fed Zibanejad again in the second period for a two-on-one goal right after a power play ended. His empty net goal was short-handed after a Carson Soucy penalty.
“Good player,” Lafrenière deadpanned after the game with a smile. “He’s one of our best players, one of our leaders, so it’s good to see him play like that.”
Zibanejad has a good track record in outdoor games. He’s 4-0-0 dating to his time with the Ottawa Senators. He won the 2014 Heritage Classic with Ottawa, the 2018 Winter Classic with the Rangers, the 2024 Stadium Series with the Rangers and now the 2026 Winter Classic.
Zibanejad was awarded “The Cocoa Cup” after the game, given to the MVP at the Winter Classic.
It was a perfect ending to an already great day for Zibanejad, who was named to Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster as an alternate captain.