Stanley Cup

The financial edge is just one advantage teams like the Panthers and Lightning have in attracting and retaining players. Everything from the weather to strong ownership and talented front offices factors in.

For the sixth straight season, the Eastern Conference's path to the final runs through the Sunshine State. The Panthers eliminated Carolina in five games and next go for a title repeat in a rematch with Edmonton.

Florida advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after a 6-3 victory in Game 5. Tampa Bay lost all three home games in the series.

Tampa Bay opens the chase for the Stanley Cup against the defending champion and state rival Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena.

Games 1 and 2 will be at Amalie Arena for this Sunshine State rematch. The Lightning also announced details on watch parties for road games, plaza viewing parties for home games and more fan experiences.

Panthers alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk, one of the few Americans on team, told the president, “You wake up every day really grateful to be an American, so thank you.”

Steven Stamkos, who has been with the team since 2008, signed with the Nashville Predators. Lightning fans are not happy to see him go.

On Sunday, thousands of fans turned out as Fort Lauderdale hosted the Championship Celebration to toast the Florida Panthers' first-ever Stanley Cup victory. Players and staff rode in open top buses down A1A and then put on a lively, rain-soaked rally at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Florida Panthers fans gathered at the Baptist Health IcePlex to watch the winner-takes-all game. They were rightly nervous, but after a thrilling contest, rose to their feet to count down the clock and celebrate in unison as the final horn cemented the historic victory.

The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions and they took the hardest path possible to the title. The Panthers won the first three games of the series, then lost the next three before Monday's win.

The deciding Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final will be played Monday night in Florida, where the Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers. Florida won the first three games only to see Edmonton storm back and stave off elimination three times to knot the series.

The league is unveiling broadcasts with play by play and color analysis for each game of the Stanley Cup Final in partnership with P-X-P.