Rangers Dominate in Historic Florida Winter Classic

The **New York Rangers** are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, competing in the NHL's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.[1][2] Founded in 1926 by promoter Tex Rickard as an expansion franchise—nicknamed "Tex's Rangers" by the press—the team quickly rose to prominence as one of the league's **Original Six** franchises, alongside the Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs, dominating from 1942 until the 1967 expansion.[1][2] Under early coach Lester Patrick, who replaced Conn Smythe, the Rangers assembled stars like Frank Boucher, Murray Murdoch, and the Cook brothers (Bun and Bill), securing **Stanley Cup victories** in 1928 (their second season), 1933, 1940, and 1994—their last championship after a 54-year drought.[1][2] Home games have been a fixture at **Madison Square Garden** since inception, with the modern arena opening in 1968, blending sports with entertainment business under owners like Cablevision's James Dolan.[1] Key figures include legends Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, and recent stars like Mark Messier (who returned in 2000), Theoren Fleury, Eric Lindros, Chris Drury, and defenseman **Adam Fox**, who led NHL blueliners with 42 assists in a standout season and won the James Norris Trophy.[1][2] Ownership shifts, such as Glen Sather's 2000 GM hire and recent moves like firing coach David Quinn for Gerard Gallant (later Mike Sullivan), reflect ongoing organizational evolution.[1][5] As of early 2026, the Rangers hold a mid-pack **20-18-5 record** (45 points), sitting 5th in the Metropolitan Division behind Carolina (51 points) amid a competitive slate including the 2026 Winter Classic.[3][4][5][6] The

The **Florida Panthers** are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.[2] The organization operates as both a sports franchise and a community-focused entity with significant philanthropic initiatives. ## History and Founding The Panthers were established in 1993 as an expansion team, awarded to Blockbuster Video magnate Wayne Huizenga on December 10, 1992.[2] Named after the endangered Florida panther species native to the Everglades, the franchise immediately distinguished itself by remaining competitive—nearly qualifying for the playoffs in each of their first two seasons.[3] In 1995–96, led by standout goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche.[3] ## Recent Achievements The Panthers achieved their most significant milestone in 2024 by winning their first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series after building a 3–0 lead.[3] They have since won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.[3] Under General Manager Bill Zito and Head Coach Paul Maurice, the team has developed into a dynamic force led by captain Aleksander Barkov and superstar forward Matthew Tkachuk.[1] ## Current Operations The Panthers play their home games at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, serving the tri-county and broader South Florida region.[1] As the southernmost NHL franchise, they maintain deep community roots through their "Heroes Among Us" program honoring military veterans and various initiatives supporting children's health and education, hockey development, and Florida panther conservation.[1] The organization also provides employees with comprehensive benefits, including game tickets, wellness programs, an

The **National Hockey League (NHL)** is the premier professional ice hockey organization in North America, operating 32 teams—25 in the U.S. and 7 in Canada—across Eastern and Western Conferences with four divisions each.[1][2][3] Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, it governs an 82-game regular season from October to April, followed by playoffs culminating in the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional sports trophy awarded since 1926.[1][2][5] Founded on November 26, 1917, in Montreal amid World War I disruptions to predecessor leagues, the NHL started with four Canadian teams: Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and Quebec Bulldogs.[2][3][5] It expanded to the U.S. in 1924 with the Boston Bruins and stabilized as the "Original Six" (Bruins, Black Hawks, Red Wings, Canadiens, Rangers, Maple Leafs) from 1942 to 1967, a golden era of rivalries and stars.[1][2][5] Post-1967 expansion doubled teams to 12, surging to 21 by 1979 after merging with the World Hockey Association; further growth hit 30 by 2000 and 32 today, including recent additions like Utah Mammoth and Seattle Kraken.[2][3][5][6] Key achievements include full Stanley Cup control in 1947, global player diversity from over 20 countries, and innovations like salary caps, rule standardization influencing junior leagues, and international games in Europe and Asia.[1][3][5] Under Commissioner Gary Bettman since 1993, the NHL's Board of Governors—chaired by Boston's Jeremy Jacobs—oversees expansions, relocations, and policies.[1][5] Currently, as one of North America's "Big Four" leagues (second-oldest after MLB), the NHL trails in U.S