Majority of fans will back all 3 Canadian teams to end Stanley Cup drought: Survey

Hockey has been viewed as a way to bring Canadians together for many years now, but a recent report says the majority of fans are united in wanting Canada’s Stanley Cup drought to end.

The study by the Angus Reid Institute, found 64 per cent of hockey fans will be supporting all three Canadian teams in the playoffs.

Of those surveyed, 9 per cent will only be rooting for their own team.

One-quarter of fans want the 30-year drought to end, they’ll take the Canadian teams that aren’t main rivals to their teams.

Flames fans are the least likely to back the Oilers and Canadiens fans feel are in the same boat when it comes to the Leafs.

Overall, Canadians feel Toronto has the best chance at ending the drought if they can make it out of the first round for the first time since 2004. Art Ross trophy winner, Conner McDavid and the Oilers receiving a 23 per cent vote of confidence, just two points lower than the Leafs.

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Manitobans have the most faith in the Jets, as 30 per cent of fans across the province think their team will hoist the cup. That drops to 3 per cent amongst all Canadians.

The survey also found the majority of fans agree with superstar Sidney Crosby and other players in the league that have suggested the NHL should return to its old playoff matchups – which would seed one through eight instead of division-based matchups.

Despite commissioner Gary Bettman’s claims, 67 per cent of fans want the change. That number jumps to 76 per cent among fans that say they watch the game closely.

Meanwhile, just 12 per cent say they like the current format.

If the NHL was using the one-to-eight format, first-round matchups would go as follows:

• (1) Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers (8) — Same as the current format
• (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders (7) — Same as the current format
• (3) New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (8) — Devils are hosting the Rangers under the current format
• (4) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers (5) — Leafs are hosting the Lightning under the current format

• (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets (8) — Same as the current format
• (2) Edmonton Oilers vs. Seattle Kraken (7) — Oilers are hosting the Kings under the current format
• (3) Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild (6) — Avalanche are hosting the Kraken under the current format
• (4) Dallas Stars vs. Los Angeles Kings (5) — Stars are hosting the Wild under the current format