The Dallas Stars host the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The defending Stanley Cup champions take on the best team in the NHL on Thursday night, as the Florida Panthers pay a visit to the Colorado Avalanche in a marquee matchup.

Nathan MacKinnon was one of six different Colorado players to score and the Avalanche cruised to a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

The Panthers are predictable. They are going to dump it in, seal the walls, and try to force the Stars to pass through the middle of the ice and make the extra pass. When the Panthers’ defensemen pinch, expect the Stars’ wings to try to stretch the zone as is their wont.

Panthers battle league-leading Avalanche, aiming for fourth straight win amid ongoing injury woes. Can they conquer the NHL's best on the road?

Ahead of the Sunshine State hosting back-to-back outdoor games – the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic and the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series – the NHL, NHLPA, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning will unite to celebrate hockey from mid-December through the beginning of February with numerous community events and initiatives.

Dallas dropped back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since mid-October in their 4-0 loss to Florida on Saturday night.

Carter Verhaeghe has found his stride and is producing offensively like he's proven to be capable of. His current offensive gear is reminding the NHL just how dangerous the Florida Panthers can be.

FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. Florida Panthers and floridapanthers.com are trademarks of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League.

Gavin Brindley had a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup, Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson and Sam Malinski also had a goal and an assist, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Florida Panthers 6-2 in Denver on Thursday night.