How Many Canadian NHL Teams Are in the Playoffs?

Two Canadian teams are in playoff position with less than a month remaining in the 2025-26 season: the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.

The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, are one point behind the New York Islanders for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Despite having the fewest points of the trio, the Oilers are the Canadian team most likely to clinch a playoff spot first. That’s because of the Pacific Division’s inferiority combined with the Eastern Conference’s uber-competitive landscape.

How Many Canadian Teams Will Make the Playoffs in 2026?

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers, even by their own admission, have endured a terribly disappointing campaign plagued by inconsistency. 

Their current point total (81) would put them four places out of a playoff spot if they competed in the Eastern Conference. The Oilers are on pace for 91 points, which would be their worst return since the 2020-21 season. 

The outlook is even more ominous considering Leon Draisaitl’s injury. While there are suggestions he’ll return for the playoffs, I’m dubious about whether he’ll be at full strength. 

Despite the medley of disconcerting happenings, the Oilers have short Stanley Cup odds and are the most likely Canadian team to win it all.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens have been the best Canadian team throughout the season.

Only three teams (Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning) are more likely to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, according to odds at the BetMGM sportsbook. 

Barring a catastrophic implosion, the Habs should secure their second straight playoff berth. Led by Cole Caufield, whose 44 goals are just two behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league’s most, the Canadiens score the third-most goals per game (3.53).

Ottawa Senators

The Senators have the second-best points percentage (.775) since Jan. 26. 

The Sens are 14-3-3 in that time frame, allowing the fewest goals per game (2.15), while Linus Ullmark is 9-2-3, with a 2.31 goals-against average and a 0.902 save percentage. 

With a 6-2-0 record when conceding the opening goal in that sample size, their ability to overcome an early deficit has been the most impressive factor in their resurgence. 

Ottawa has also had to overcome injuries to key players, including defenceman Jake Sanderson and, most recently, Thomas Chabot. Sanderson will return to the lineup imminently, but Chabot won’t feature for between four and eight weeks.

Who Is Predicted To Win the Stanley Cup in 2026?

The Colorado Avalanche are the most likely team to win the Stanley Cup, followed by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes.

I’m backing the Lightning to win the Cup, thanks to their advantage between the pipes, with Vezina Trophy odds front-runner Andrei Vasilevskiy at the peak of his powers.