Canadian Teams Eye Stanley Cup Glory as 33-Year Drought Nears End

Canadian Teams Eye Stanley Cup Glory as 33-Year Drought Nears End

Hockey fans in Canada have displayed remarkable patience as they wait for the Stanley Cup to return north of the border. It's been 33 years since a Canadian team last hoisted hockey's ultimate prize, but the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs could change that. On June 9, 1993, the Montreal Canadiens celebrated their victory over the Los Angeles Kings, marking the last time the Cup was won by a Canadian team. Since then, the prestigious trophy has remained in the United States, following the Florida Panthers' championship in 2025. This year, three Canadian teams are strong contenders: Montreal Canadiens: The last Canadian champions are led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, forming a lethal duo. Rising stars like Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson bolster their roster, though depth concerns loom as they face a tough first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Edmonton Oilers: After falling short in the past two seasons, the Oilers are eager to finish the job. However, uncertainty surrounds Leon Draisaitl's injury status, putting additional pressure on Connor McDavid to lead the team. Ottawa Senators: Following a late-season surge, the Senators are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Despite a challenging first-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, they have the defensive strength and offensive talent of Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk to potentially pull off an upset. As anticipation builds, here’s a look at each Canadian team's Stanley Cup drought: Toronto Maple Leafs: 59 years (13 wins) Vancouver Canucks: 56 years (0 wins) Calgary Flames: 37 years (1 win) Edmonton Oilers: 36 years (5 wins) Ottawa Senators: 34 years (0 wins) Montreal Canadiens: 33 years (23 wins) Winnipeg Jets: 15 years With the playoffs approaching, the hope remains that one of these teams can finally break the long-standing drought.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-16