A Florida team has been to the Final for six straight years. How did the Lightning and Panthers do it? And which would win in its prime?

The Florida Panthers are ready to defend their championship, and their fans couldn’t be more excited. On Monday morning, the team held their final home practice at the Iceplex before heading to Edmonton to face the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida coach Paul Maurice keeps the day-to-day routine simple. Show up for work early and have copious amounts of coffee. Trust assistant coaches to do their jobs. Sit in on meetings when needed. Hammer home a consistent message with players.

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are set to rematch in their second straight Stanley Cup Final. Last year’s final was an intense matchup that went to Game 7, where the Panthers won the cup on home ice.

The Florida Panthers’ Game 5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center has now put the team in historic territory.

The three years since what happened, happened, have been an earthquake for Maurice, a “life-altering” experience that changed him, changed his narrative, changed the way he can think about a career in hockey that has made him a lifer among lifers.

It’s just who we are,’ Bennett said. ‘We don’t change the way we prepare for games, from regular season games to playoff games to Game 7 games.’