It doesn't take a true sports fan to know that hockey is Canada's most loved and appreciated game. To the people of this great nation, hockey isn't just a game - it's a way of life. The first traces of the sport date back to the 18th century, and since then, it has undergone several changes to become the fast-paced and exciting game that we know today.
As far as professional hockey goes, the National Hockey League (NHL) is the big league, and the teams that compete in it are some of the best in the world. Of those teams, seven of them are based in The Great White North:
- Calgary Flames
- Edmonton Oilers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Vancouver Canucks
- Winnipeg Jets
The good thing about this diversity is that you can bet on your favorites simply by visiting Apple Pay casinos in Canada and placing wagers. But which one would you bet on? What are the best Canadian hockey teams in the NHL in this century? Read this post to find out!
Montreal Canadiens
Sports Team History The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team from Montreal, Quebec. They are not only full-time members of the NHL but also one of the original six teams of the league. The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times, the most of any team in the NHL. They have also won the Stanley Cup more than any other team in North America's major professional sports leagues.
The last time they played a Stanley Cup Finals in 1993, they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The best players in the team's history include big names such as Maurice Richard, Guy Lafleur, Patrick Roy, and Bernie Geoffrion. The Canadiens play their home games at Bell Centre. The franchise is known for its passionate fans, often referred to as Habs fans.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario. They compete in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NHL. The Maple Leafs are one of the original six teams of the NHL and have won 13 Stanley Cups, the second-most league behind the Montreal Canadiens.
Some of their most skilled members include players such as Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner. The team's biggest rivals are the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs play their home games at Scotiabank Arena. They are one of the most valuable franchises in the NHL, worth an estimated $1.56 billion. The Maple Leafs are also known for their dedicated fans who call themselves the Leafs Nation.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team from Vancouver, British Columbia. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The Canucks joined the league in 1970 as an expansion team and have since played one Stanley Cup Finals, which they lost to the Boston Bruins in 2011.
The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena. They are among the most profitable franchises in the NHL, worth an estimated $700 million. The best players in team history include Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure, and Stan Smyl. The Canucks have an army of passionate fans who often refer to themselves as the Larscheiders.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team from Calgary, Alberta. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The Flames joined the league in 1972 as an expansion team and won one Stanley Cup, which they did in 1989.
The Flames play their home games at Scotiabank Saddledome. The team's most fierce goal scorer is Jarome Iginla, who has played for the Flames since 1996. The Calgary Flames are also known for their passionate fans, who often refer to themselves as C of Red.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are the second NHL ice hockey team from Edmonton, Alberta. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The Oilers joined the league in 1972 as an expansion team and have since won five Stanley Cups, which they did in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990.
The Oilers play their home games at Rogers Place. The team's most iconic player is Wayne Gretzky, who played for the Oilers from 1979 to 1988. The Oilers are also known for their passionate fans, who often refer to themselves as the Orange Crush.
The Bottom Line
The Great White North is home to some of the best hockey teams in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers are all Canadian teams that have been successful in the 21st century.
Each team has a rich history and passionate fans who support them through thick and thin. If you're looking for a great game to watch, these are the teams you should be rooting for.
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