All things considered, though, the Utah Hockey Club performed at an elite level on Wednesday, despite losing 4-1 to the Florida Panthers (It was a 2-1 game with two empty-net goals). Utah kept up on both ends of the ice, and they held their own when things got chippy.

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Classic will feature the Panthers against the Rangers at the Miami Marlins' home park and the Stadium Series game will be played between the Lightning and Bruins at the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The NHL announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami — home of baseball’s Marlins — on Jan. 2, 2026, in the Winter Classic, with the Tampa Bay Lightning playing host to the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026, in a Stadium Series game.