And that was before the real hockey started. Now, more than 250 days later, the Panthers are one win away from repeating as champions, and the Stanley Cup will be in the building with their chance to extend its stay in Florida if they defeat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the final on home ice Tuesday night.

Florida goes into Game 6 on its home ice with a chance to be the third team to go back to back since the NHL’s salary cap era began in 2005.

Paul Maurice figured the third line alongside young Finns Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen was the perfect place for Brad Marchand, and it has worked out swimmingly.