Panthers keep hands off trophy after being burned in 2023

The Florida Panthers aren't taking any chances this year.

After touching the Prince of Wales Trophy when they won the Eastern Conference in 2023 - ahead of losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final - the Panthers avoided doing so in 2024.

The @FlaPanthers get reacquainted with the Prince of Wales Trophy! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/GufcsSgKrj

- NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2024

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice appeared to instruct his captain, Aleksander Barkov, not to touch the award.

Paul Maurice wanted to make sure his captain knew what to do with Prince of Wales Trophy this year. pic.twitter.com/vfQEWTYnSM

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 2, 2024

"Not touching it this year," Barkov said postgame prior to the trophy presentation.

NHL teams have long been superstitious about touching or hoisting conference championship trophies because the Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize.

"It has nothing to do with anything, but we play our silly games," Maurice said.

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