Following the Ottawa Senators' sizzling run to secure a last-minute playoff berth, Canadian teams enter the Stanley Cup tournament in their greatest numbers since 2004, raising hopes of ending the country's 22-year Cup drought.
Five of the seven Canadian NHL franchises will compete in the 16-team postseason, a big shift from last year when only the Montreal Canadiens made the cut.
If you're a Canadian fan, you're looking for any reason to hope at this time of year even if the odds are stacked against you. Las Vegas betting sites currently favor U.S. teams the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks.