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.
What's Behind Auston Matthews' Dominance In Faceoffs For Maple Leafs
There are some similarities and some differences ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round rematch against the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time around, captain Auston Matthews is bringing more than just his notable scoring touch to the table.
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.
Maple Leafs' Stolarz Shelves Panthers Ties And Bond Over Cats In Playoff Series
Anthony Stolarz hasn’t spoken with any of his ex-Florida Panthers teammates in a while, but he’s excited to get this second-round series going on Monday night.
With three Canadian teams moving, this year might be the year the Stanley Cup heads north of the border.
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