It’s not a secret Canada’s love of hockey, and it’s no surprise that seven Canadian teams are represented in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks all represent the Great White North in the NHL and have a rich history of success.
These teams have passionate fan bases and are known for their intense rivalries with one another and with teams from the United States. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of one of these teams or just love hockey in general, there’s no denying the excitement and energy that Canadian teams bring to the rink every game. So let’s hit the ice and take a closer look at these seven Canadian teams in the NHL.
The Canadiens-Maple Leafs Storied NHL rivalry
There are 2 teams whose rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs have faced off against each other hundreds of times over the years, with both teams boasting a rich history of success. The Canadiens and Maple Leafs have met in the playoffs numerous times, with the Canadiens holding the edge in terms of overall victories. However, the rivalry remains intense to this day, with both teams consistently vying for supremacy.
The Canadiens and Maple Leafs first faced off against each other in the 1917-18 NHL season, with the Canadiens emerging as the victorious team. Since then, the two teams have met hundreds of times, with the Canadiens holding a slight edge in overall victories. The Canadiens have won a total of 23 Stanley Cup championships, making them the most successful team in NHL history. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have won 13 Stanley Cup championships although as most hockey fans know, their most recent cup in 1967 is ancient history. The Edmonton Oilers are the third most successful Canadian NHL team since the 1930s with five Stanley Cups.
Ottawa’s Stanley Cup history
Ottawa teams have seen their share of NHL success, winning the Stanley Cup four times – 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1906 – as the Ottawa Silver Seven, and seven times – 1909, 1910, 1911, 1920, 1921, 1923 and 1927 – as the Ottawa Senators. That franchise moved to St. Louis in 1934, becoming the Eagles. The existing Senators entered the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1992. Since then, the Sens have reached the finals once in 2007, losing to Anaheim Ducks 4 games to 1. In 2017 the Sens came close to making it to the finals but were edged out by the Penguins in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Maple Leafs – Canadiens have met 15 times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Despite the Canadiens’ large edge in the Stanley Cup rivalry, the Maple Leafs have had their share of victories over the years. The two teams have met in the playoffs 16 times, including five meetings in the Cup Final and their most recent meeting in 2021 which saw the Habs come from 3-1 down to win the series 4-3. To date, Montreal has won nine playoff series while Toronto has won seven. The most memorable for Maple Leafs fans would be their 1967 Stanley Cup victory over the Canadiens 3 -1 to win the cup in game 6.
As many Leafs fans know they came close to facing the Habs in the final in 1993 but a game 7 loss to the Kings in the semi-finals put a stop to that dream. The Canadiens went on to win the cup against Gretzky and the Kings thanks to some incredible goaltending from Patrick Roy, who backstopped the Habs to 10 OT victories on the way to hoisting the Stanley Cup.
The rivalry and excitement aren’t limited only to the hockey arena. Fans who want to add an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience might give sports betting a try. There are a number of great sports betting sites available in Canada that offer a wide range of betting options and competitive odds on all NHL games. One option that stands out is Fezbet, which has a reputation for being user-friendly and offering a variety of convenient payment options. In addition to betting on individual games, you can also place bets on various aspects of the game, such as which team will score the first goal or who will win the Stanley Cup.
Summary
The rivalry between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs has remained intense over the years, with both teams consistently vying for supremacy in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The two teams have faced off against each other numerous times in the playoffs, with both teams putting up a strong fight every time. The rivalry is a testament to the rich history and traditions of hockey in Canada, and it is sure to continue for many years to come.
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