The NHL season begins on September 29, and Canadian fans get two matchups on opening night: the Canadiens visit the Maple Leafs, then the Canucks face the Oilers. Each team will play 84 regular-season games, up from 82 last year.
So, if you want to back a Canadian team this season, where should you start? Montreal is the most interesting Stanley Cup pick. Edmonton is the team to watch for regular-season wins and goals markets. The right bet still depends on the odds you can get.
Why Montreal is the Canadian team to watch
The Canadiens enter 2026–27 with more than promising young players. They reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, giving their core a long playoff run to build on. NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen has even ranked Montreal first on his preseason list of Stanley Cup contenders. That is one writer’s assessment, rather than a guarantee, but it shows how much expectations have risen.
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky give Montreal several ways to score, while Lane Hutson adds creativity from defence. The question for bettors is whether the Canadiens can turn another strong season into a Cup run.
The betting angle: Compare Montreal’s Stanley Cup and Eastern Conference prices across sportsbooks. If the Cup odds feel too short for a team that has yet to reach the Final with this group, an Eastern Conference wager may better match how far you expect them to go.
Why Edmonton remains a tempting pick
The Oilers still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which makes them difficult to ignore on any given night. Edmonton’s attack remains a major strength, but its defence is the issue to follow: the team allowed 3.23 goals per game last season, ranking 25th in the NHL.
That makes Edmonton an interesting team for game-by-game betting. A strong offence can create opportunities in the moneyline and goals markets, but the opponent, starting goaltenders and current form matter more than the Oilers’ name alone.
Canadiens or Oilers: which should Canadians back?
| If you want to bet on… | Team to watch | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A Canadian Stanley Cup winner | Montreal Canadiens | Their young core has gained playoff experience and enters the season with high expectations. |
| Individual games and goals markets | Edmonton Oilers | McDavid and Draisaitl give Edmonton a potent offence, while defensive results are worth monitoring. |
Our pick: Montreal for a Canadian Stanley Cup futures bet, provided the odds offer enough value. Edmonton may be easier to assess one game at a time. Before placing either bet, compare prices and check lineup and goaltender news. A good prediction can still be a poor wager if the odds are too short.