Hockey, a sport born in Canada, should logically see Canadian teams dominating the NHL. However, for the past three decades, this hasn`t been the reality.
The last time a Canadian team lifted 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 seeking the sport`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 losing in Game 7.
This year marks a significant presence of Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with five teams qualifying – the highest number since 2017.
With several Canadian teams in the postseason, let`s examine which have the strongest সম্ভাবনা to win the Stanley Cup in June.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs` playoff history is filled with early exits. Having been eliminated in the first round in seven of the last eight years, overcoming this hurdle will be challenging. Yet, their offensive talent is undeniable, featuring stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. While their five-on-five play isn`t top-tier, their power play is highly effective, converting nearly 25% of chances, ranking ninth in the league. The Maple Leafs will begin against the Senators, a series they are favored to win. However, the path to the Stanley Cup Final is tough, with a likely matchup against either the Lightning or Panthers in the next round. Despite the challenges, the Maple Leafs` sheer talent gives them a real chance to contend for the championship if they perform at their peak.
2. Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets achieved a franchise first by winning the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top points scorer. Historically, this has been a mixed blessing, as only a few Presidents` Trophy winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup since 2007-08. The Jets also face adversity with the injury to key forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Additionally, star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a likely Vezina Trophy winner, has had inconsistent playoff performances in the past, with a career playoff record below .500 and a GAA near 3.00. If Hellebuyck can replicate his regular-season form, the Jets are definitely capable of a deep playoff run. However, their first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues, a team playing very well recently, presents a tough opening challenge.
3. Edmonton Oilers
Coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2024, the Edmonton Oilers, led by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are always a threat. However, their road this year is more complicated. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is out injured, at least for the first round, and Draisaitl has also been dealing with injuries. Losing Ekholm, a top defenseman, is a significant blow, especially against an offensively potent team like the Los Angeles Kings, who they face in the first round. The Kings and Oilers have become frequent first-round opponents, and this year, the Oilers` injuries might prove to be too much to overcome.
4. Ottawa Senators
After a long playoff drought, the Ottawa Senators are back in the postseason, thanks to the development of young stars like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson, along with the veteran leadership of Claude Giroux and the arrival of franchise goalie Linus Ullmark. The Senators` future is bright, but they may not be true Stanley Cup contenders yet. Their first-round series is against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a difficult matchup. While the Maple Leafs have sometimes underperformed in the playoffs, they are a very talented and experienced team. The Senators can make this series interesting and possibly win a couple of games, but it`s likely not their year to go all the way.
5. Montreal Canadiens
It`s somewhat ironic that the Montreal Canadiens, the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, are probably the least likely Canadian team to win it this year. They barely made the playoffs and face a high-scoring Washington Capitals team. The Canadiens struggled at five-on-five play and their power play was in the bottom half of the league during the regular season. While the Capitals might be a bit fortunate to be in their playoff position, the Canadiens might lack the offensive firepower to compete with a team that was among the highest-scoring in the NHL.
