Hockey, a sport loved worldwide, originated in Canada. One might expect Canadian teams to consistently dominate the NHL. However, for the past three decades, this hasn`t been the reality.
The last time a Canadian team, the Montreal Canadiens, won the Stanley Cup was in the 1992-93 season. This marks a painfully long period without a championship for a country with seven NHL teams. The Edmonton Oilers were the most recent Canadian team to come close, making it to the Stanley Cup Final last season. They bravely fought back from a 3-0 series 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 a strong Canadian presence in the postseason, let`s examine which of these teams have the greatest potential to win the Stanley Cup in June.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs` struggles in the playoffs are well-known. They`ve been eliminated in the first round in seven of the last eight years, making it a significant hurdle to overcome. Despite this, their forward talent is exceptional, including players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. While their five-on-five play isn`t always top-tier, their power play is outstanding, converting 24.8% of opportunities, ranking ninth in the league. The Maple Leafs will play against the Senators in the first round, a series they are capable of winning. However, the path to the Stanley Cup Final is tough, as the winner of the Leafs-Senators series will face the winner of the Lightning-Panthers series. Ultimately, the Maple Leafs` talent is expected to shine when it matters most, and they are considered a team with the potential to win the Stanley Cup if they perform at their peak.
2. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets won the Presidents` Trophy for the first time, recognizing them as the league`s points leader. Historically, winning the Presidents` Trophy can be both beneficial and detrimental. Since the 2007-08 season, only two Presidents` Trophy winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. The Jets are also facing a challenge with the injury of key forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who is out week-to-week with a foot injury. Additionally, Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, likely to win his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, has had inconsistent playoff performances in his career. He holds an 18-27 record with a 2.85 goals-against average in 45 playoff games. If Hellebuyck can maintain his regular-season form, the Jets have a strong chance for a deep playoff run. However, facing the St. Louis Blues, one of the hottest teams in the league, in the first round is a difficult start.
3. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2024, narrowly missing the championship in a Game 7 loss to the Panthers. With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, a Stanley Cup run is always a possibility. However, their path is more challenging this year. Edmonton will be without defenseman Mattias Ekholm for at least the first round due to an undisclosed injury. Draisaitl also dealt with injuries late in the season, impacting the Oilers` health. Losing a top defenseman like Ekholm against a team like the Kings, who are currently scoring 4.6 goals per game in their last five games, is a significant concern. While the Kings and Oilers have met in the first round in the past four seasons, the Oilers` injuries might be a critical factor this year.
4. Ottawa Senators
After seven years of missing the playoffs, the Senators are seeing the results of their rebuild. Young stars such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson have become core players, and Claude Giroux has provided crucial leadership. The addition of franchise goaltender Linus Ullmark has also been significant. While the Senators have a promising future, they may not be Stanley Cup contenders just yet. They face the Maple Leafs in the first round, which is not an ideal matchup. Despite the Maple Leafs` playoff disappointments in recent years, they are a talented team with playoff experience. This series should be exciting, and the Senators could win a game or two, but it might not be their time to go all the way.
5. Montreal Canadiens
It`s somewhat ironic that the Canadiens are the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, yet they probably have the lowest chance of winning it this season. They barely made the playoffs and are matched up against a high-scoring team in the Capitals. Montreal was among the weakest five-on-five teams in the NHL during the regular season and also ranked in the bottom half for power play efficiency. While the Capitals might be somewhat fortunate to be where they are, the Canadiens likely lack the offensive power to compete with a team that scored the second-most goals in the NHL.
Elton Marrow