Its first opponents are the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who come to town Wednesday. Florida is anything but easy to play against. It has elite offensive talent, some of the consensus best two-way forwards in the world,

The Utah Hockey Club continues to struggle at home, losing its fourth straight game at the Delta Center Wednesday night to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, 4-1. Jesper Boqvist scored twice for Florida as Utah opened a season-long 7-game homestand with a loss.

Utah Hockey Club forward Kevin Stenlund met with his former Florida Panthers teammates and got a new prized possession: a Stanley Cup ring.

SALT LAKE CITY — Jesper Boqvist scored twice in the third period and the Florida Panthers beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-1 on Wednesday night. Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen each had a goal for the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Matthew Tkachuk finished with two assists, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves.

Another strong game from Sergei Bobrovsky was the backbone as the Panthers took down Utah 4-1. The first period in Utah was mostly uneventful as both teams appeared to be feeling out one another. An early power play during the second period gave Florida the opportunity to break the ice at the Delta Center,

The southernmost matchup in NHL history and the first of two outdoor games that will be played in the Sunshine State next season, the Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2. It will be the 17th NHL Winter Classic and the 44th NHL regular-season outdoor game.

The NHL announced today that the Discover 2026 NHL Winter Classic will feature the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at loanDepot park, home of Marlins, on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.