The NHL is steeped in traditions that have evolved over its 100-year history. For the first time in more than 50 years, one of those traditions made a comeback. Saturday night marked the start of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, with Game 1 taking place in Sunrise. Ahead of the game, the NHL brought the Stanley Cup onto the ice to build excitement for its eventual presentation in the next couple of weeks. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/sportsnet/status/1799598729793552558'> </a></blockquote></div> According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, this is the first time since the 1960s that the NHL has brought the Stanley Cup onto the ice at the start of the Final. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/russohockey/status/1799597628339957867'> </a></blockquote></div> TSN's Chris Johnston noted that, in the 2020 COVID bubble, the Cup was displayed above the ice in the stands during Game 1 between Tampa Bay and Dallas. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1799605494908060035'> </a></blockquote></div> While seeing the Stanley Cup is always special�it's arguably the greatest trophy in all of sports�bringing it out before Game 1 takes away from the iconic 'the Cup is in the building' moment that usually comes before a potential championship-clinching game. But it's also a reminder of how important the series is as the puck is about to drop. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1799640849804087443'> </a></blockquote></div> Game 1 was packed with intensity, with the Oilers controlling play, outshooting the Cats 32-18, but Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall between the pipes and Florida was opportunistic offensively, en route to a 3-0 win. Yet as both teams noted, it's a best four of seven series and if game one was any indication, hockey fans are in for a treat to close out this enthralling hockey season as we seek to crown a champion.