Hockey, a sport born in Canada, should logically see Canadian teams dominating the National Hockey League. However, for the past three decades, this hasn`t been the reality.
The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in the 1992-93 season with the Montreal Canadiens. This long wait has been tough for a country with seven NHL teams, all eager to claim hockey`s ultimate prize. The Edmonton Oilers were the closest last season, making a remarkable comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Florida Panthers, but ultimately lost in Game 7.
This year, the Stanley Cup Playoffs feature five Canadian teams, the highest number since 2017.
With several Canadian teams in the postseason, let`s examine which have the greatest opportunity to win the Stanley Cup in June.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs` struggles in recent playoffs are well-known. They`ve been eliminated in the first round in seven of the last eight years, making it difficult to overcome this barrier. Yet, their forward talent is exceptional, boasting players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. While not consistently strong at five-on-five, their power play is excellent, converting nearly 25% of chances, ranking ninth in the league. The Maple Leafs will compete against the Senators in the first round, a series they are capable of winning. However, the path to the Stanley Cup Final is challenging, as the Leafs-Senators winner will face the winner of the Lightning-Panthers series. Despite the difficulties, the Maple Leafs` talent could shine when it matters most, making them a potential contender if they perform at their peak.
2. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets achieved the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top points scorer for the first time in their history. This award can be both beneficial and detrimental, as historically, only a few Presidents` Trophy winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup since 2007-08. The Jets also face a setback with the injury of forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Additionally, their goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, a likely Vezina Trophy winner, has historically had inconsistent playoff performances with a career 18-27 record and a 2.85 GAA in 45 playoff games. If Hellebuyck can replicate his regular-season form, the Jets are strong contenders for a Stanley Cup run. However, facing the St. Louis Blues in the first round presents a tough initial challenge.
3. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2024, narrowly missing the championship after a Game 7 loss to the Panthers. With superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, a Stanley Cup run is always possible. However, their path is more challenging this year. Edmonton will be without defenseman Mattias Ekholm due to injury for at least the first round, and Draisaitl was also recently injured. Losing Ekholm against a high-scoring team like the Kings is a significant concern. Despite past playoff series against the Kings, the Oilers` current injuries might be a major obstacle.
4. Ottawa Senators
After seven years without playoff appearances, the Senators are seeing the results of their rebuild. Young stars like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson have become key players, and Claude Giroux adds crucial leadership. The addition of franchise goalie Linus Ullmark is also a significant boost. While their future is bright, Stanley Cup contention might still be a bit premature. They face the Maple Leafs in the first round, a difficult matchup. Despite Toronto`s past playoff struggles, they are a strong team with playoff experience. The series will be exciting, and the Senators could win a game or two, but it may not be their year yet to go all the way.
5. Montreal Canadiens
It`s interesting that the Canadiens were the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, but they are likely the least favored this season. They barely made the playoffs and are matched against the offensively powerful Capitals. Montreal struggled at five-on-five play during the regular season and had a below-average power play. While the Capitals might be slightly fortunate to be in their current position, the Canadiens might lack the offensive strength to compete with a team that was second-highest scoring in the NHL.
