Hockey enthusiasts in Canada have shown considerable patience waiting for the Stanley Cup to return to their country. However, following the Edmonton Oilers` Game 6 defeat to the Florida Panthers, those fans will need to wait at least another year.
The last time a Canadian team lifted the Cup was on June 9, 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in a five-game series. At that time, *Jurassic Park* was dominating the film industry, *Roseanne* and *Home Improvement* were popular television shows in America, and Janet Jackson`s `That`s the Way Love Goes` was topping the music charts.
Since that year, the Stanley Cup has remained in the United States for 32 consecutive years, with the Panthers securing the most recent championship. Edmonton appeared close to ending this long drought on a couple of occasions. They initially led the Final series 1-0 and had the opportunity to play a crucial Game 5 at home with the series tied 2-2. Nevertheless, for the second year in a row, the Oilers were unable to capture hockey`s ultimate prize.
Edmonton needed a victory in Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7 back on home ice, but Florida never allowed them to build momentum. Sam Reinhart opened the scoring with an impressive goal early in the first period, setting the tone for the game. The Panthers comfortably closed out the series against the Oilers with a 5-1 victory in Game 6.
Now, Canadian fan bases face the prospect of waiting a minimum of one more year for the Cup`s potential return. As long as star players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are part of the team, the Oilers are expected to remain strong contenders for deep playoff runs in the future. With teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and emerging franchises such as the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators also in the mix, Canadians have some optimism that the drought could potentially end in 2026.
Below is a summary of how long each Canadian team`s Stanley Cup drought has lasted:
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Stanley Cup wins: 13
- Years won: 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
- Years since last win: 58 years
Vancouver Canucks
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Years since last win: 55 years (since franchise inception)
Calgary Flames
- Stanley Cup wins: 1
- Years won: 1989
- Years since last win: 36 years
Edmonton Oilers
- Stanley Cup wins: 5
- Years won: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
- Years since last win: 35 years
Ottawa Senators
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Years since last win: 33 years (since modern franchise inception)
Montreal Canadiens
- 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
- Years since last win: 32 years
Winnipeg Jets
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Years since last win: 14 years (since franchise relocated/re-established)
