Mika Zibanejad Makes History, Wows Fans as Rangers Beat Panthers in NHL Winter Classic

Mika Zibanejad helped the New York Rangers win the 2026 NHL Winter Classic with a historic night in Miami.

Zibanejad scored the first Winter Classic hat trick, and the third in NHL outdoor game history, to help the Rangers seal a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers at the Miami Marlins' loanDepot Park.

He was later awarded the Cocoa Cup as the game's MVP.

Zibanejad's goal on a first-period man advantage didn't only open scoring for the Rangers.

It also tied Chris Kreider and Camille Henry's franchise-record 116 power play goals for the most in Rangers history.

Zibanejad then assisted on two goals from Artemi Panarin, while scoring a second tally of his own, to tie the NHL record for the most points in a single outdoor game.

Zibanejad finished out the hat trick by firing into the Panthers' empty net from his own zone in the third period.

That goal made Zibanejad the first NHL player to record five points in an outdoor game, while also marking his first five-point outing since 2021.

Artemi Panarin meanwhile increased his career total in outdoor games to seven points, tying Henrik Zetterberg, Jonathan Toews and James van Riemsdyk for the most in NHL history.

Alexis Lafreniere also recorded three assists, while Vincent Trocheck recorded two in the win.

Fans were impressed with the performances of these Rangers stars after what has been an up-and-down first half to the season for New York.

The Panthers' loan goal was scored by Sam Reinhart on a third-period power play. Another Reinhart goal was waved off late in the third period after officials ruled the puck had been kicked into the net.

The Panthers (21-16-3) and Rangers (20-18-5) each have 45 points this season, putting both teams just outside the Wild Card bubble in the Eastern Conference.