The Florida Panthers successfully made their way to Edmonton despite travel delays caused by heavy rain in South Florida. Fans and media tracked their charter flight online as it landed in Edmonton a few hours later than scheduled, causing some concern ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

However, Panthers forward Kyle Okposo found it amusing how the situation was blown out of proportion. He highlighted that such travel delays are a common occurrence throughout the regular season, but the spotlight intensifies during the Cup finals. "Nobody says anything when this happens four times a year to every team," Okposo said.

Even air traffic controllers in Edmonton joined in on the fun, jokingly telling the Panthers' pilot that they would place a "two-hour hold" to create low fuel conditions for a diversion. The players, however, remained unfazed and kept a positive attitude, embracing the adversity and viewing it as an opportunity for more team bonding.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice defended the decision to stay back in South Florida after Game 2, despite the predicted rain. He assured that the delay had no effect on their Game 3 preparations, with defenseman Aaron Ekblad stating that they had ample practice time and plenty of rest.

While the Panthers acknowledged the seriousness of the flooding in South Florida, they made the most of their time on the plane, catching up on sleep, watching movies, and playing cards. Forward Evan Rodrigues noted that it made no difference to them whether they were sitting on the plane or relaxing at the lounge upon arrival.

The delay did nothing to disrupt the Panthers' momentum, as they hold a 2-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. Forward Matthew Tkachuk downplayed the situation, mentioning that most players engaged in activities like swimming or exercising upon reaching the hotel.

In conclusion, despite the travel delays caused by the heavy rain, the Florida Panthers remained focused and undeterred in their preparations for Game 3. The team embraced the adversity and used the extra time to bond further, demonstrating their determination to continue their winning streak.