#outdoor-hockey

#outdoor-hockey

Alexis Lafrenière had three assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots for the Rangers, who improved to 6-0-0 in outdoor games. Sam Reinhart scored for Florida, which was playing outdoors for the first time and lost for the fourth time in its last six contests overall. The Panthers gave up goals to Zibanejad and Panarin 64 seconds apart late in the first period, giving New York a 2-0 lead, and the Rangers kept control the rest of the way.

Both teams are in their prime with their cup window wide open so it's sure to be an entertaining matchup. Also they've become frequent playoff foes. Since 2018 (the year the Avalanche's current playoff streak began) they've met each other three times, with Dallas winning each matchup. Then again Colorado actually won a cup in that timeframe while Dallas has yet to get over the conference final hump since 2020.