30 years and counting for a Canadian team to bring home the Stanley Cup

May 15, 2023
It’s been 30 years…and now it’ll be at least one more before a Canadian team brings the Stanley Cup back to the Great White North after both remaining squads were eliminated over the weekend.
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30 years and counting for a Canadian team to bring home the Stanley Cup
SOURCE: KEVIN SOUSA/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES

The GIST: It’s been 30 years…and now it’ll be at least one more before a Canadian team brings the Stanley Cup back to the Great White North after both remaining squads were eliminated over the weekend. *sniffs*

Toronto Maple Leafs: If you listen closely, you can still hear Leafs fans complaining about questionable calls during the Buds’ 3–2 overtime Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers on Friday. That said, Toronto’s problems extended beyond officiating woes, including lackluster performances from the team’s “Core Four,” and multiple defensive disasters.

  • Plus, these issues are anything but new for the 6ix squad, ushering in speculation about whether head coach Sheldon Keefe or general manager Kyle Dubas will be the first to go. Time for a shake up.

Edmonton Oilers: There was similar disappointment out West last night, as the Oilers were eliminated after dropping Game 6 5–2 to the Vegas Golden Knights — a notable downgrade from last year’s Conference Finals exit.

  • After building around generational talent Connor McDavid and failing to reach the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton must take their defensive shortcomings seriously and bulk up before their star scorer moves on.

Seattle Kraken vs. Dallas Stars: As for the final remaining series, the newbie Kraken turned the tide with an energetic 6–3 Game 6 victory on Saturday, setting up tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 7 in the Big D. Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially the stakes.