They are back in the Stanley Cup Finals, but a new wave of fans are again enjoying one of hockey’s most beloved playoff traditions. Will we see the rats?

A toy rat sits in the Panthers locker room where Scott Mellanby killed a real rat with his stick before a game. Miami Herald File Plastic rats are carried off the ice after a Florida Panthers goal ...

Before the Panthers' 1995 home opener, a rat entered the team's dressing room. Forward Scott Mellanby killed the rat by hitting it with his stick, then proceeded to score two goals with the same ...

The Panthers went out and beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 that night. Mellanby scored a pair of goals with that same stick. “Scott Mellanby didn’t even have time to really tape his stick ...

Florida Panthers fans have been throwing plastic rats onto the ice after home victories. ... It stems from the 1995-96 season when Florida’s Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the old Miami Arena.

When Brad Marchand was traded to Florida in March, it didn't take long for him to embrace Panthers fans' longstanding ...

The Florida Panthers are battling the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 3 is scheduled for June 9 at the Amerant ...

Members of the 1996 Florida Panthers hockey team, from left, Brian Skrudland, Scott Mellanby and John Vanbiesbrouck walk off the ice after participating in a ceremonial puck drop before the ...

There was a rat in the dressing room, which was promptly killed by former Panthers star Scott Mellanby. Mellanby then went out and scored three goals, which was called "a rat trick".

Florida Panthers fans have been throwing plastic rats onto the ice after home victories. ... It stems from the 1995-96 season when Florida’s Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the old Miami Arena.