USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. TheStanley Cup Finalis shifting to theFlorida Panthers' home arena in Sunrise, Florida, for Games 3 and 4. And that means the return of the barrage of plastic rats being thrown onto the ice after a Panthers victory at Amerant Bank Arena. The team also is embracing the rat legend for Game 3 byputting towels on each seatthat read, "Rats Rule." An octopus (representing the eight wins once needed to win the Stanley Cup) occasionally lands on the ice duringDetroit Red Wingsgames.Nashville Predatorsfans sometimes sneak in a catfish and toss it on the ice. And, of course, the ice gets littered with hats when someone scores a three-goal hat trick. But why plastic rats? Here's a look at the history: LET THE RATS HIT THE FLOOOOORRRRRRRPANTHERS TAKE A 3-0 SERIES LEAD IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL 🐀pic.twitter.com/rJ2U2Os9o9 — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce)May 25, 2025 It stems from the 1995-96 season when Florida's Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the old Miami Arena. He scored two goals that night, which a teammate called a "rat trick." Fans picked up on the story and started throwing plastic rats on the ice after the Panthers scored goals that season, a magical one in which the team went to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final in the franchise's third year of existence. The Panthers were swept in the championship round withColorado Avalanchegoalie Patrick Roy telling teammates "no more rats" after he gave up a goal in Game 3. He shut out the Panthers the rest of the way, including a 1-0 triple-overtime win in Game 4. The NHL, which didn't appreciate the long cleanup needed after each Panthers goal, changed rules that offseason to make throwing items on the ice after a goal subject to a delay of game penalty. So now rats get tossed after victories. When the Panthers won their first Stanley Cup title last season, theyincluded a raton their championship rings. They're here and they're perfect 🤩pic.twitter.com/6YOOoKuzTx — x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers)October 7, 2024 The Panthers acquired Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins in March in ashocking move at the trade deadline. He has played a big role in the team's playoff success, including thedouble-overtime goal in Game 2against theEdmonton Oilers. His nickname is Rat, so teammates shoot plastic rats at his legs before he leaves the ice after a win. erod and barky hitting a rat at marchand 😂pic.twitter.com/z9ClwVBIXp — x - bailey (@flacatsandrats)April 9, 2025 The 'Rats Rule' towels that are going on every seat for Game 3 have a special touch, per TSN. Hidden on the towels are the logos of the three teams –Tampa Bay Lightning,Toronto Maple LeafsandCarolina Hurricanes– that the Panthers defeated to reach the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers' rally towels for Game 3 feature hidden logos of the three teams they defeated to get to the Final 👀🔥(h/t@markhmasters)pic.twitter.com/DC855UkOZ6 — Gino Hard (@GinoHard_)June 9, 2025 Date:Monday, June 9 Location:Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida Time:8 p.m. ET TV:TNT, truTV Streaming:Max,Sling TV (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why do Panthers fans throw plastic rats after home wins?
