Maple Leafs Among Trio Of Canadian NHL Teams In Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 For First Time In 20+ Years

Dec 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A large Canadian flag is passed overhead by fans during the playing of the national anthem before the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs have significant Canadian company in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the St. Louis Blues in a double-overtime Game 7 thriller, advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and joining the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers. This means three Canadian teams are in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The last time three Canadian teams reached the second round (the final eight competing for the Stanley Cup) was in 2004, an era before the NHL's salary cap. That season (2003-04) was the final year of hockey before a year-long labor stoppage forced the cancellation of the 2004-05 season. In 2004, the Toronto Maple Leafs were joined in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames. The Flames went on to compete in the Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games.

A Canadian team hasn't lifted the Stanley Cup since the Canadiens won in 1993. That year, three Canadian teams reached the final eight: the Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Vancouver Canucks. The Canadiens ultimately won the NHL's championship trophy. The Maple Leafs made it to the Clarence Campbell Conference Final, while the Canucks were eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in six games.

With three Canadian teams moving, this year might be the year the Stanley Cup heads north of the border.