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For the first time since 2017, five of the seven NHL teams based in Canada have made it to the postseason.
Among these five teams, only two will compete against each other in the opening round, with the intriguing possibility that all four final teams could be Canadian.
What are the chances that one of these Canadian teams can hoist the Stanley Cup? Here’s a breakdown of the teams with the best prospects as the playoffs approach.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers, along with the Winnipeg Jets, currently hold the best odds of any Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup.
Edmonton may have a slight edge over Winnipeg for a couple of reasons: they came close to winning the championship last year and they boast superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
However, their odds could be affected by the team’s injury woes as they enter the playoffs. As of April 18, key defenseman Mattias Ekholm is out for the entire first round, while the availability of Jake Walman and Troy Stecher is uncertain, raising concerns about the Oilers’ defensive capabilities.
While McDavid, Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman have been dealing with injuries recently, the focus will also be on the performances of Evan Bouchard, Brett Kulak, and Darnell Nurse. Bouchard, who had an impressive regular season with 67 points, must elevate his game defensively and take on more ice time in Ekholm’s absence. Interestingly, he finished the season with a higher Defensive Point Share than Ekholm would in a full season, should he play.
The need for strong defense is heightened by the performance of goaltender Stuart Skinner, who had a challenging regular season, finishing with a .896 save percentage and a 2.81 Goals Against Average. His starting position in Game One is likely, but doubts may surface quickly if he does not start strong, especially with the Kings presenting a considerable challenge.
If the Oilers advance, they may face a daunting task against the Golden Knights, provided Vegas beats Minnesota. Nevertheless, with a potent offense and postseason experience, Edmonton remains a formidable contender for the Stanley Cup.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets obtained the best odds among Canadian teams by winning the most games in the NHL this season, despite facing the potential “President’s Trophy curse” that has haunted winners for over a decade.
The Jets concluded the season with both the third-best offense and the top defense in the league, boasting five players who surpassed 60 points and a defensive lineup marked by positive plus-minus ratings. Moreover, their goaltender is favoured to win his third Vezina Trophy.
However, concerns stem from last season’s playoff inadequacies, particularly with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Even though he has emerged as one of the league’s elite goaltenders, his postseason performance last year was subpar, leading to an overwhelming 24 goals against in a five-game series, resulting in an .864 save percentage.
Despite these playoff struggles, Hellebuyck maintains a career mark of .910 save percentage across multiple postseason matches. Nevertheless, questions about his capability to perform under pressure will linger throughout the playoffs. Interestingly, Winnipeg’s early-season success included an 8-game winning streak, but recent form has raised challenges, particularly with tougher matchups than anticipated due to playoff positioning.
Ultimately, the Jets exhibit remarkable consistency across all game areas, giving them a strong case for playoff success if they can effectively address previous shortcomings.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs consistently capture attention, whether they win or lose. After breaking a 19-year playoff drought in 2023, expectations surrounding the team have intensified.
Is this iteration of the Maple Leafs truly different? With substantial portions of the salary cap dedicated to four forwards, significant roster adjustments may be challenging. Nonetheless, General Manager Brad Treliving has built one of the strongest defensive lineups Toronto has seen in recent times, featuring veterans like Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Through adjustments in defensive pairings, a more robust presence has emerged throughout the team, seeking to validate the substantial contracts held by the team’s core players. Despite injury setbacks, contributions from players like William Nylander and Matthew Knies have elevated the offensive output.
Mitch Marner’s standout performance during a contract year has been pivotal, with the winger accruing a career-high 102 points. However, Marner’s effectiveness in the postseason will be scrutinized closely, as his playoff performance has not mirrored his regular-season excellence, with only 50 points in 57 playoff games.
How well the team copes with postseason intensity is a question that hangs over the entire roster, particularly regarding Marner. In the immediate series against the Ottawa Senators, the Maple Leafs will face a determined opponent seeking to establish themselves following their playoff absence.
While the Maple Leafs may find success against the Senators, tougher tests await in potentially facing the winners of the matchup between the Lightning and Panthers. With limited playoff experience within the squad, first-year Head Coach Craig Berube’s challenge will be to guide the team beyond previous hurdles.
As the playoffs unfold, Canadian hopes for a triumphant return may rest more heavily on the shoulders of the Oilers and Jets in the Western Conference, which currently appear to have the most favorable odds to make a deep playoff run.
Source
www.forbes.com