Canadian hockey fans have shown considerable patience for the Stanley Cup to return north of the border. With the Edmonton Oilers currently competing in the Stanley Cup Final, that long wait could potentially end soon.
The last time a Canadian team lifted the Cup was on June 9, 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. That year was a notable period in popular culture: “Jurassic Park” was a box office hit, sitcoms like “Roseanne” and “Home Improvement” were widely watched, and Janet Jackson`s “That`s the Way Love Goes” topped the music charts.
Since that memorable Canadiens victory, the Stanley Cup has been won by teams based in the United States for 32 consecutive years.
Heading into the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers are the sole Canadian team remaining. Their playoff run has been impressive; after trailing 2-0 in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, they bounced back strongly, going 14-2 in subsequent rounds to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars in just five games each.
Edmonton boasts the league`s leading postseason scorers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are playing at the peak of their abilities. The team`s defensive structure has also been solid, and goaltender Stuart Skinner has been exceptional, regaining his top form after earlier playoff challenges.
While everything seems to be clicking for the Oilers, they face a tough and familiar opponent in the Florida Panthers, who were a Stanley Cup finalist last season and present a significant challenge this year.
Securing the final four victories to clinch the Cup will undoubtedly be the Oilers` biggest test. However, they appear to possess the necessary components to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993. Until then, here is a look at the length of the Stanley Cup drought for each Canadian NHL team:
Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 13
- Years won: 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
Vancouver Canucks | 55 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
Calgary Flames | 36 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 1
- Years won: 1989
Edmonton Oilers | 35 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 5
- Years won: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
Ottawa Senators | 33 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
Montreal Canadiens | 32 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 23
- Years won: 1993, 1986, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1953, 1946, 1944, 1931, 1930, 1924, 1926
Winnipeg Jets | 14 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
