Canada’s long-standing quest to win the Stanley Cup now stands at 33 years and counting. Snapping the streak is a national obsession.
The Edmonton Oilers twice came close to winning the National Hockey League (NHL) title recently, finishing runners up to the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025.
Given the barren run, sports bettors may feel that wagering on a Canadian team to win the 2026/27 Stanley Cup is an exercise in futility.
Reputable Canadian online casinos are undoubtedly a viable alternative as they have paid out thousands of jackpots since the Montreal Canadiens last lifted the trophy in 1993.
However, a strong argument can be made for suggesting that the Oilers are currently Canada’s best short-term bet of securing a Stanley Cup success.
NHL 2026/27 – Outright odds
Florida Panthers – 13/2
Colorado Avalanche – 7/1
Carolina Hurricanes – 7/1
Edmonton Oilers – 9/1
Tampa Bay Lightning – 11/1
Vegas Golden Knights – 11/1
Minnesota Wild – 14/1
Dallas Stars – 16/1
Ottawa Senators- 20/1
Washington Capitals – 20/1
Buffalo Sabres – 22/1
Montreal Canadiens – 22/1
Anaheim Ducks – 25/1
New Jersey Devils – 25/1
Utah Mammoth – 25/1
Columbus Blue Jackets – 28/1
Los Angeles Kings – 28/1
New York Rangers – 33/1
Toronto Maple Leafs – 33/1
San Jose Sharks – 40/1
Detroit Red Wings – 50/1
Nashville Predators – 50/1
New York Islanders – 50/1
Philadelphia Flyers – 50/1
Pittsburgh Penguins – 50/1
Winnipeg Jets – 50/1
Boston Bruins – 80/1
Chicago Blackhawks – 100/1
St. Louis Blues – 100/1
Calgary Flames – 200/1
Seattle Kraken – 250/1
Vancouver Canucks – 400/1
Oilers still have time to live up to their billing
Canadian teams previously dominated the NHL, but the landscape has tilted completely towards the United States since the 1990s.
Just three of Canada’s seven NHL teams progressed to the play-offs last season. Two of them (Edmonton and Ottawa Senators) crashed out in the first round.
Montreal progressed to the Eastern Conference finals, but suffered a 4-1 series defeat against eventual champions Carolina Panthers.
Some pundits believe they will eventually break Canada’s Stanley Cup drought, but the Oilers may beat them to the punch.
Montreal have assembled an excellent squad and have talent coming through the pipeline. Odds of 22/1 to win the title next season are arguably too generous.
However, the Oilers have more proven players at their disposal. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are stellar talents.
They also have a Stanley Cup-winning head coach. Mike Babcock is not everyone’s cup of tea, but he could be exactly what the Oilers need this season.
Babcock crucially has the full support of the top players to make the necessary adjustments to turn them into a championship-winning team.
“The interaction with star players who want nothing more than to win and tell you how they’re willing to change and adjust to make that happen, that’s pretty exciting for a coach,” Babcock said.
“We have to do whatever is best for the team on a daily basis, that’s what we’re going to do. We want the fans of the to be beyond proud.
“The reality is that’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to make everybody more inclusive and everybody more important.
“Those guys are going to be huge players in it, but they’re the ones asking for this. Sometimes when you’re 18 you don’t think like that, but when you want to win a championship, that’s how you think.”
Babcock’s CV makes him the ideal man to lead a team which hasn’t quite lived up to its billing. If they buy in to his methods, odds of 9/1 to win the Stanley Cup would be a tempting proposition.