Overview
- Both teams wore uniforms from their former identities, with Colorado in Quebec Nordiques sweaters and Carolina in Hartford Whalers throwbacks.
- The presentation extended beyond jerseys, featuring retro broadcast graphics and goaltenders outfitted with brown leather‑style pads.
- Carolina blew a 4–1 first‑period lead but won in a shootout, with Seth Jarvis scoring the only shootout goal.
- Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog praised the look, calling the Nordiques sweater the best‑looking uniform in hockey, according to interviews cited in coverage.
- Opinion pieces criticized the use of Whalers and Nordiques imagery as insensitive to fans in Hartford and Quebec City and used the matchup to highlight broader concerns over muted NHL uniform trends, with a rematch slated for January 3, 2026.