A special family moment unfolds at the Panthers Winter Classic venue

This outdoor game is already different just because it's happening in Florida, not Buffalo or Chicago. The Panthers will host the New York Rangers at loanDepot park in the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history.

What keeps jumping out is the human part, because this is not just a cool TV backdrop. Players talk about these days like a scrapbook moment, something their kids will remember more clearly than a random Tuesday in March.

That's why Evan Rodrigues showing up with his family on Sunday hit me right in the heart. He got a tour of the rink build. His two sons, Grayson and Noah, and daughter Ella Grace, were right there beside him, testing the ice, in mini Winter Classic jerseys.

They weren't there for a photo op, they were there because it's fun and weird and special. Rodrigues talked about how nice it will be for his boys to watch without freezing, and they're expected to join the families for a skate around the ballpark on Thursday.

You can feel why the room needs this, because the season grind rarely gives you a moment to just smile.

The NHL is leaning into the whole «winter meets summer» vibe inside the stadium, and loanDepot park's retractable roof and big rolling windows give the league a real chance to control the setup. That matters when you're building an NHL rink inside a baseball home.

Brad Marchand has played in outdoor games before, and he framed it the right way, memories first. He said it's going to be special for the team, their families, and the fans, and that's the truth with events like this.

For the Panthers, it's also a rare chance to bring the sport back into Miami's spotlight, not just Sunrise. One night, one park, one stage, and a whole lot of relatives in the stands with phones out.