Raptors Ranked Second in Eastern Conference Entering NBA Seeding-Games, Six Canadian NHL Teams In Stanley Cup Playoffs

The GIST: For the first time in forever, there’s a very solid chance that Canadian teams could win both the NBA Championship and the Stanley Cup. Hey, stranger things have happened in 2020, right?

Tell me about the Raps: As the reigning champs, our Canadian sweethearts are high on many “favorites to win” lists. Heading into the seeding games, the Raps sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, which is extra impressive considering the injuries they dealt with during the regular season.

• The silver lining of the pandemic break is that many top stars, such as Marc Gasol (who got quarantine-jacked), Fred VanVleet and Pascal “Spicy P” Siakam, are now fully healed and ready to play. #WETHENORTH, baby!

What about hockey?: Six of seven Canadian teams have made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs (better luck next year, Ottawa Senators!), showing the world that puck really is our game. And sure, the playoffs have been expanded this year to allow for more teams, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that these Canadian teams have earned their spots.

• In the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens will have a bit of a tough time against one of the Cup favorites, the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have a much better shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round.

• The Western Conference gives us our best shot to bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993, with the No. 5 Edmonton Oilers leading the charge. Unfortunately, the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets have to face each other in the qualifying round, but we’re pumped to see at least one Canadian team guaranteed to move on.