For hockey fans across Canada, chasing the Stanley Cup has felt like an impossible mission for more than 30 years. The last Canadian team to win it all was the Montreal Canadiens back in 1993. Since then, each season has ended in heartbreak—early playoff exits, Game 7 losses, or simply not qualifying at all. But with the 2024-25 NHL regular season wrapping up, hope is once again in the air. Could this finally be the year a Canadian team lifts Lord Stanley’s Cup?
Let’s take a closer look at how each Canadian NHL team stands heading into the final stretch of the season.
Winnipeg Jets: Canada’s Best Shot at the Cup
The Winnipeg Jets are not just Canada’s best hope—they’re one of the strongest teams in the entire league. They were the first Western Conference team to clinch a playoff spot and have already hit the 50-win mark. With the NHL’s second-best home record and power play, the Jets are serious contenders.
They’re also in the running for the Presidents’ Trophy, which goes to the best regular-season team. This could be a historic season for Winnipeg and perhaps the one that ends Canada’s Stanley Cup drought.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Legacy on the Line
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Cup since 1967, making it the longest drought in NHL history. But this season feels different. For the first time in years, the Leafs are in the mix to win their division, not just settle for second or third.
Led by stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, the pressure is high. These players are no longer young up-and-comers—they need to deliver now. Fans are dreaming of a long playoff run, but as always with Toronto, nothing is guaranteed.
Edmonton Oilers: Hungry After Last Year’s Heartbreak
Last season, the Oilers came painfully close to winning it all, losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers. Now, they’re back with a mission to finish the job. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain one of the league’s most dangerous duos, and the team has the experience to make another deep run. Expectations are sky-high in Edmonton, and fans believe this year could be the one where the Cup finally comes back to Alberta.
Ottawa Senators: A Surprise Wild-Card Threat
The Ottawa Senators haven’t seen playoff action since 2017, but things are changing. A strong finish to the season has put them in a solid wild-card position. Their young core—Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson—is finally showing results, and fans are excited. While they’re not favorites, the Sens could be this year’s surprise package. A strong playoff run isn’t out of the question if they keep up their form.
Montreal Canadiens: Cinderella Hopes in the East
Montreal made a surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, but they haven’t been back since. This season, under coach Martin St. Louis, the team has improved and is fighting to hang onto a wild-card spot. The rebuild has started to show real progress, and if they can sneak into the playoffs, anything can happen. The Canadiens are aiming to become this year’s underdog story.
Vancouver Canucks: Fighting Until the End
The Canucks have dealt with off-ice drama and key trades, including sending J.T. Miller to the Rangers. But they’re still in the hunt. Vancouver is currently outside the playoff zone, but with goalie Thatcher Demko healthy again and Elias Pettersson expected to step up, there’s still a chance. It won’t be easy—they likely need to win nearly every remaining game—but stranger things have happened.
Calgary Flames: A Rookie Goalie Keeping Playoff Dreams Alive
Calgary is in a similar boat to Vancouver, sitting outside the playoff race and needing a near-perfect finish to qualify. Rookie goalie Dustin Wolf has been the team’s standout player, boasting a 2.62 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. He’s also in the conversation for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie. If the Flames do make the playoffs, Wolf will be a big reason why.
As the 2025 playoffs approach, several Canadian teams are in strong positions—especially the Jets, Leafs, and Oilers. Others like the Senators and Canadiens could surprise, while the Canucks and Flames are fighting to stay alive.
Canada’s Stanley Cup drought may have stretched over three decades, but the passion from fans across the country remains as strong as ever. With this season’s mix of elite teams and promising underdogs, there’s real hope that the Cup might finally return north of the border.
