The Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially underway, and for Canadian hockey fans, one question looms as large as ever: Is this finally the year the Cup comes home?
It’s been over three decades since a Canadian team lifted Lord Stanley’s trophy—the last being the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. Since then, the drought has become a national obsession, with each spring carrying a mix of hope, heartbreak, and that eternal question: Why not us?
When Souls of Mischief dropped 93 ‘Til Infinity, they probably didn’t expect their track title to become a grim prophecy for Canadian hockey. But here we are in 2025, still waiting, still dreaming.
Let’s take a look at how each Canadian team stacks up now that the playoffs are here, and what their odds really are of breaking the curse.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks’ season is officially over, missing the playoffs after needing a miracle that never came. Despite flashes of promise, internal drama plagued the year. Fans can now look to 2025–26, hoping for more stability and a real run.
Calgary Flames
The Flames fell just short of a playoff spot, narrowly edged out despite a surprisingly strong season. Much of that success came from rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who has been sensational and looks like a Calder Trophy finalist. Calgary wasn’t expected to be in the mix so that fans can take heart in the foundation being laid—and in the knowledge they may have found their goalie of the future.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal did clinch a playoff berth and will face the powerhouse Washington Capitals, led by the newly crowned all-time NHL goal leader, Alex Ovechkin. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath matchup. But Habs fans can cling to history: the last time these teams met in the playoffs (2010), the eighth-seed Canadiens upset the top-ranked Capitals. Lightning could strike twice.
What makes this even more exciting? Montreal’s highly touted prospect, Ivan Demidov, was recently released from his KHL contract and has joined the team just in time for the postseason. Add that to Lane Hutson’s rookie brilliance, and even if this year isn’t the year, the future in Montreal looks very bright.
Ottawa Senators
The Sens have ended their eight-year playoff drought, and all eyes are on Brady Tkachuk’s postseason debut. If his international play is any indication, fans are in for something special. The addition of Linus Ullmark has given the Sens long-missing stability in net. While a deep run might be a stretch, this playoff experience could be the start of something big in Ottawa.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are back after last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl healthy again, this team is dangerous. But they face a familiar foe: the Los Angeles Kings, who they’ve eliminated three years in a row. This time, however, the Kings have home ice advantage and boast the league’s best home record.
Adding to the concern are Stuart Skinner’s poor form post-4 Nations break and injuries to key defencemen like Mattias Ekholm. Still, this team has playoff experience and McDavid—anything can happen.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto fans are tired of “one and done.” It’s now or never for the Leafs’ core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. A Conference Final appearance is the minimum bar for success this year.
Under new coach Craig Berube, the team seems more playoff-ready than ever. Improved secondary scoring and a potential first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators bodes well. If the Leafs can avoid early collapse and play their cards right, this might be their most promising playoff setup in decades.
Winnipeg Jets
Our pick for Canada’s best hope? The Winnipeg Jets.
This small-market team has quietly become a powerhouse, likely facing the slumping Minnesota Wild in Round 1. Winnipeg is healthy (with Pionk and Ehlers set to return), and their path looks favourable: if they advance, they’ll face the winner of a brutal Dallas vs. Colorado series.
Everything seems aligned for a deep Jets run. And let’s be honest—Canada lifting the Cup in Winnipeg would be poetic.
So… Is This the Year?
With three strong contenders—Winnipeg, Toronto, and Edmonton—the odds of ending the drought are higher than they’ve been in years. Whether it’s the Leafs, the Jets, or McDavid’s Oilers, the Cup dream is alive and well.
Will 2025 be the year that finally breaks the curse? We’re not sure. But we are sure of one thing: it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
