5 Reasons Canada Will End Its 31 Year Stanley Cup Drought
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
It All Comes Back to Edmonton
As much as it would be a good story for the Maple Leafs or Canucks to go on a deep playoff run, the Oilers remain Canada's best shot at ending its lengthy Stanley Cup drought. No Canadian team has hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens last did. With McDavid leading the charge, the best player in hockey has the chance to will his way to a Stanley Cup. We've seen this story repeatedly from the top players in the world, and McDavid has the look in his eyes of a player that won't be denied in 2024.
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The Oilers Have the Team to do it
Entering the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers were the sensible choice if you selected one Canadian team with the best chance to end the drought. The Oilers not only had the shortest odds, but they also had the best makeup of a team that could do damage in the postseason. The Oilers have the necessary experience over the years to finally have their moment, and it's arguably the best path to a Stanley Cup Final that this core has had. If not now, when?
Stanley Cup Odds: +470
Most Fight We've Seen From Maple Leafs Core
We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but this is the most pushback that the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown in the playoffs. Do the Maple Leafs deserve all the credit, or should the focus be on the Boston Bruins potentially losing back-to-back opening-round series when leading 3-1? Regardless, the Maple Leafs won Games 5 and 6 without Auston Matthews. They might make a run at it if they can get their superstar goal scorer back for Game 7 and potentially beyond. Doesn't this feel similar to when the Montreal Canadiens came back from down 3-1 to Toronto and went on a run to the Stanley Cup Finals?
Stanley Cup Odds: +2600
The Path Isn't Crazy for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have faced plenty of adversity in their opening-round series against the Nashville Predators. With the Canucks relying on Thatcher Demko heavily, they've been forced to throw that playbook out the window with his injury, which has them now using their third-string goalie. The Canucks are still in the driver's seat against the Predators, and if they manage to sneak into the second round, they'll face an Oilers team they swept during the regular season. That's intriguing.
Stanley Cup Odds: +1800
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Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
It's no secret that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the NHL's best duo. The star-studded pair have consistently shown up in the playoffs and given the Oilers a real chance at winning the Stanley Cup. McDavid and Draisaitl didn't miss a beat in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, leading the Oilers to a five-game series victory. As long as they are on the ice, the Oilers are a viable threat to make a deep run in the postseason.
Connor McDavid Conn Smythe Odds: +700 | Leon Draisaitl Conn Smythe Odds: +3000
It All Comes Back to Edmonton
As much as it would be a good story for the Maple Leafs or Canucks to go on a deep playoff run, the Oilers remain Canada's best shot at ending its lengthy Stanley Cup drought. No Canadian team has hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens last did. With McDavid leading the charge, the best player in hockey has the chance to will his way to a Stanley Cup. We've seen this story repeatedly from the top players in the world, and McDavid has the look in his eyes of a player that won't be denied in 2024.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
The Oilers Have the Team to do it
Entering the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers were the sensible choice if you selected one Canadian team with the best chance to end the drought. The Oilers not only had the shortest odds, but they also had the best makeup of a team that could do damage in the postseason. The Oilers have the necessary experience over the years to finally have their moment, and it's arguably the best path to a Stanley Cup Final that this core has had. If not now, when?
Stanley Cup Odds: +470
