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Oilers and Panthers Maintain Distance from Conference Championship Trophies Due to Superstitions
  • Game coverage - story, Western Conference Final: Oilers vs. Stars
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    Oilers and Panthers Maintain Distance from Conference Championship Trophies Due to Superstitions

    The Stanley Cup Final is set between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, but both teams took a cautious approach when it came to celebrating their respective conference wins.

    On Saturday night, the Panthers — led by captain Aleksander Barkov — not only refused to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy but kept a very respectable distance from the Eastern Final hardware after beating the New York Rangers in Game 6.

    On Sunday night, the Oilers followed suit, keeping their distance from the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as they posed for the ceremonial photo after defeating the No. 2-seeded Dallas Stars.

    It’s one of the many longstanding superstitions that NHLers have in the post-season, stemming from the belief that the only trophy they should hoist come playoff season is the Stanley Cup — the true championship trophy.

    Like most superstitions, it’s impossible to know if it will have any impact on the Stanley Cup Final, but Barkov and his Panthers sure aren’t going to take the risk their second time around.

    In 2023, the Panthers chose to hoist the trophy after their Cinderella playoff run saw them sweep Cup favourites Carolina Hurricanes to make an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. They lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, and this year they would very much like to avoid that same fate.

    “We touched it last year and it didn’t work for us,” Panthers forward Sam Bennett told reporters on Saturday night. “We thought we’d try something different this year.”

    Likely at the request of head coach Paul Maurice, who seemed to give explicit instructions to Barkov prior to the ceremony.

    “He also told me (not to touch it) last year,” Barkov told reporters. “This year, I think we all agreed we were not going to touch it.”

    For the Oilers, they certainly weren’t taking any chances when they were presented with the Western Conference Championship hardware for the first time since 2006.

    “That’s something we’ve been thinking about all day, to be honest,” Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said when asked about the decision not to touch the trophy. “It was just a collective decision.”

    Though captain Connor McDavid has a superstitious streak — demonstrated when he showed up to Games 4, 5 and 6 wearing the same suit — he wasn’t prepared to give too much credence to this particular decision.

    “They (the Panthers) didn’t touch it, we didn’t touch it. Someone’s gotta win.”

    You can watch the two Conference champs go head-to-head in the Stanley Cup Final, beginning June 8, on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

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    As the NHL season progresses, two teams have caught the attention of fans and analysts for their unique approach to superstitions. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers have both made headlines for their decision to maintain a distance from the conference championship trophies, a tradition that dates back to the early days of the league.

    The superstition surrounding the conference championship trophies stems from the belief that touching the trophy before winning the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, will bring bad luck. Many players and teams have adhered to this superstition over the years, opting to avoid touching or even being near the conference championship trophies until they have secured the Stanley Cup.

    The Edmonton Oilers, led by superstar Connor McDavid, have been one of the top teams in the Western Conference this season. Despite their success, the Oilers have made it a point to steer clear of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, which is awarded to the Western Conference champions. Instead, they have chosen to focus on their ultimate goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

    Similarly, the Florida Panthers, who have been a surprise contender in the Eastern Conference, have also opted to keep their distance from the Prince of Wales Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conference champions. The Panthers have embraced the superstition as a way to stay grounded and maintain their focus on the task at hand.

    While some may view these superstitions as silly or irrational, many players and teams believe in the power of superstition and the importance of maintaining rituals and routines throughout the season. For the Oilers and Panthers, avoiding the conference championship trophies is just one way they are staying true to their beliefs and traditions.

    As the NHL playoffs approach and the race for the Stanley Cup heats up, it will be interesting to see if these superstitions have any impact on the performance of the Oilers and Panthers. Whether or not these teams will be able to break the curse and bring home the Stanley Cup remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain – superstitions and traditions are alive and well in the world of hockey.