Canadian hockey fans have been patiently waiting for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada. After the Edmonton Oilers lost Game 6 to the Florida Panthers, they will need to wait at least another year.
The last time a Canadian team lifted the Cup was on June 9, 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. At that time, Jurassic Park was a box office hit, popular TV shows included Roseanne and Home Improvement, and Janet Jackson`s `That’s the Way Love Goes` was number one on the music charts.
Since 1993, the Stanley Cup has remained with U.S.-based teams for 32 consecutive years, a streak extended by the Panthers` recent win. The Oilers had opportunities to break this drought, including taking a 1-0 lead in the Final and hosting a crucial Game 5 tied 2-2. However, for the second year running, Edmonton narrowly missed winning the championship.
Edmonton needed a Game 6 win to force a deciding Game 7 back home, but Florida controlled the game from the start. Sam Reinhart opened the scoring in the first period, and the Panthers dominated, winning Game 6 by a score of 5-1. Reinhart contributed four goals in the series-clinching victory.
With the Oilers` loss, Canadian fans must now wait at least one more year for the Cup to return. The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are expected to be strong contenders again. Other Canadian teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators also offer hope that the drought might finally end in 2026.
Here is a look at the current Stanley Cup drought for each Canadian NHL team:
Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 13
- Years Won: 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
Vancouver Canucks | 55 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 0
- Years Won: N/A
Calgary Flames | 36 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 1
- Years Won: 1989
Edmonton Oilers | 35 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 5
- Years Won: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
Ottawa Senators | 33 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 0
- Years Won: N/A
Montreal Canadiens | 32 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 23
- Years Won: 1993, 1986, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1953, 1946, 1944, 1931, 1930, 1924, 1926
Winnipeg Jets | 14 Years
- Stanley Cup Wins: 0
- Years Won: N/A
