The Stanley Cup had not made an appearance at the start of the final in six decades

The NHL did something a little unusual before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Before the national anthems were performed, as both teams were lining up and preparing for the biggest game of their respective seasons, a special guest made an appearance on the ice.

The Stanley Cup, in all its glory, was brought out to center ice by Keeper of the Cup Phil Pritchard. White gloves and all.

It was the first time in, oh, about 60 years, that the Stanley Cup was displayed before Game 1 of the final.

To say the players were a little caught off guard by the appearance of Lord Stanley’s Cup before the series would be an understatement.

Each team's general manager was reportedly told ahead of time, with the expectation the players would be made aware. 

Whether or not that happened, the players were still a little jarred when the historic trophy was brought onto the ice.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues said. “That was a little bit of chills, a pretty cool moment.”

Considering the gravity of the situation and the literal and figurative symbolization that the Stanley Cup represents, it was surely a moment that will linger in the memories of many.

Others, however, did not want to let it be a distraction.

“I tried not to look at it too much,” said Panthers defenseman Gus Forsling. “Just trying to stay focused on the game.”

“Same here,” smiled Florida captain Sasha Barkov, who was sitting next to Forsling.

At the end of the day, as unique and exciting of a moment as it was, the Panthers fully understand that there is still a lot of work to do if they want to grab that big silver cup and lift it above their heads.

“It was so close, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” said Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen. “We have to work hard to get it.”

That’s the focus.

But still, the pregame surprise will be looked back on with much fonder memories should the Cats complete the task and emerge victorious in the Stanley Cup Final.

“Of course it’s a cool moment, and yes, it’s close,” said Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola. “Close, but still like two or three more weeks, but a cool moment.” 

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