Canada’s Cup Hopes Still Alive With Five Teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

It’s been over 30 years since Guy Carbonneau lifted the Stanley Cup for the Montreal Canadiens in 1993—the last time the trophy made its home in Canada.

It’s gotten close, painfully so, with the Flames, Canucks, and Oilers all having reached a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals since then. 

A year removed from the Oilers falling a game short, Canada’s Cup drought remains on precarious ground. Five of its seven teams are in the dance, and three have a genuine chance to be on the dance floor until the lights come up.

Edmonton, powered by Connor McDavid and Hart Trophy favourite Leon Draisaitl, lead the way with the fourth-best odds to win the Cup, at +900*.

Joining Edmonton in the Western Conference bracket is the Presidents’ Trophy winners, the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg enjoyed far-and-away its best season since it returned to the NHL, and is tied for the eighth-best odds to win the Cup, at +1,100.

While the Jets may not be getting adequate respect on the odds board, as the best regular-season team, they can find solace in a shared characteristic with Canada’s last champion.

Much like how Patrick Roy backstopped the Habs to glory as the league’s best goalie, Winnipeg has the privilege of soon-to-be three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes.     

Just behind the Jets on the odds board, and with a marathon Cup drought of their own to grapple with, are the Toronto Maple Leafs at +1,200.

After yet another elimination at the hands of the rival Bruins a year ago, the Buds bounced back to better their regular season points total -- and set up a first-round Battle of Ontario with the Ottawa Senators.

While the Oilers, Jets, and Leafs may represent Canada’s best chances, the Sens (+3,500) and Canadiens (+10,000) can’t be discounted, either. The ‘21 Habs were the fourth of four Northern Divison teams to make the playoffs, and made a proud run to the Finals. Similarly, the ‘06 Oilers went from eighth in the West to a game away from glory.

As history has shown, you have to be in it to win it -- and this time around, Canada will have five cracks at Lord Stanley’s Cup. 

Click here for the full Stanley Cup odds at BET99.

*Odds as of April 17, 2025.