Hockey, a sport beloved worldwide, originated in Canada. One might expect Canadian teams to consistently dominate the National Hockey League. However, for the past three decades, this hasn`t been the reality.
The Montreal Canadiens were the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup back in the 1992-93 season. This represents a long and painful drought for a nation with seven NHL teams, all yearning for hockey`s ultimate prize. The Edmonton Oilers came closest recently, staging an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Florida Panthers last season, only to fall short in Game 7.
This year marks a significant resurgence with five Canadian teams reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs – the highest number since 2017.
With a strong Canadian presence in the postseason, let`s examine which teams have the strongest potential to claim the Stanley Cup in June.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs` struggles in the playoffs are widely known. Having been eliminated in the first round in seven of the last eight years, overcoming this barrier will be a challenge. Nevertheless, their offensive talent is undeniable, featuring stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. While their five-on-five play might not be top-tier, their power play is exceptional, converting nearly 25% of opportunities, ranking among the league`s best. The Maple Leafs will begin against the Senators in 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 looming. 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 Jets captured the Presidents` Trophy for the first time, recognizing them as the league`s top regular-season team. Historically, winning the Presidents` Trophy has been a mixed blessing, with only a few winners going on to win the Stanley Cup since 2007-08. The Jets also face adversity with the injury to key forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Furthermore, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a Vezina Trophy favorite, has had inconsistent playoff performances in the past. His playoff record is below .500 with a high goals-against average. If Hellebuyck can replicate his regular-season form, the Jets are a serious threat. However, starting the playoffs against the St. Louis Blues, one of the hottest teams, is a difficult first hurdle.
3. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance last year, narrowly missing the championship in a Game 7 loss to the Panthers. With superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers are always capable of a deep playoff run. This year`s path, however, appears more challenging. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is injured and will miss at least the first round. Draisaitl also dealt with injuries late in the season, impacting the team`s health. Losing Ekholm against a high-scoring team like the Kings is a significant setback. While the Kings and Oilers have become frequent first-round opponents, the Oilers` injuries could prove too much to overcome this time.
4. Ottawa Senators
After a seven-year playoff drought, the Senators` rebuild has paid off with a postseason berth. Young stars such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson have become franchise cornerstones, complemented by the veteran leadership of Claude Giroux. The addition of franchise goalie Linus Ullmark has also been crucial. While the Senators` future is bright, they might not be Stanley Cup contenders just yet. They face a tough first-round matchup against the Maple Leafs. Despite the Maple Leafs` past playoff disappointments, they remain a highly skilled and experienced team. The Senators-Maple Leafs series promises to be exciting, and Ottawa could steal a game or two. However, this playoff run might be a bit too early in their development for a deep push.
5. Montreal Canadiens
Ironically, the Canadiens, the last Canadian team to hoist the Stanley Cup, are likely the least favored among the Canadian teams this year. They barely made the playoffs and face a high-powered offensive team in the Capitals. Montreal struggled at five-on-five play and had a below-average power play during the regular season. While the Capitals` playoff seeding might be somewhat fortunate, the Canadiens may lack the offensive firepower to compete with a team that was among the league`s highest-scoring teams.
