(TORONTO, 24 October 2023) – A new Pallas Data survey found that most Canadians do not think a Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup this year.
“Canadians think that a Stanley Cup parade on Canadian soil will have to wait at least another year,” said Dr. Joseph Angolano, Founder and CEO of Pallas Data.
43% of respondents do not think a Canadian team will lift the Cup this year, while 21% think a Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup. 36% said that they were unsure.
The Montreal Canadiens were the last Canadian NHL team to win the Stanley Cup in 1993, beating the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Pallas surveyed 1484 Canadian adults 18 or older eligible to vote through Interactive Voice Recording (IVR) technology from 21-22 October 2023. The margin of error is +/- 2.5% at the 95% confidence level.
Leafs, Oilers Seen As Having Best Chance To End Cup Drought
When asked which Canadian team has the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup this season, 27% said the Toronto Maple Leafs, 21% said the Edmonton Oilers, and 18% said the Montreal Canadiens.
“The Leafs and the Oilers had the best records out of all Canadian teams in the NHL last year and are led by superstars Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, respectively,” said Angolano. “So it’s no surprise respondents see those teams as the top contenders from Canada.”
At the time of writing, Draft Kings has the odds of the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup at +900 and the Oilers’ odds at +1100. The Canadiens’ odds are +25000.
The Montreal Canadiens: Canada’s Favourite Hockey Team
The survey also found that the Montreal Canadiens, the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, are Canada’s most popular NHL team.
29% of those surveyed said the Habs were their favourite NHL team, followed by the Leafs with 22%. The Oilers were next with 10%, followed by the Calgary Flames with 8%, then the Canucks (6%), the Ottawa Senators (5%), and the Winnipeg Jets (4%).
“Respondents were more likely to pick their favourite team as the most likely to win the Cup,” said Angolano. “This is likely why the respondents are picking the Canadiens to win the Cup – who likely won’t make the playoffs this year – ahead of the Flames, Jets, and Canucks.”
The Canadiens are the most popular team in their native Quebec (70%) and Atlantic Canada, and are also significantly popular in Ontario and the Prairies. The Leafs are the most popular in Ontario, with 45%.
42% of Albertans said the Oilers were their favourite team, compared to 29% who said the Flames.
“I fondly remember the Battle of Alberta from the 1980s, but in terms of popularity today, it is not much of a battle as it’s Advantage Oilers,” said Angolano.
It is interesting to note that over half of Canadians said that the Leafs or the Habs are their favourite team,” concluded Angolano. “The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs will always be Canadian institutions, as Canadian as the RCMP and maple syrup.”
