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 Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has gotten hot, is one win away from a repeat, but had injury questions before the playoffs.

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.