Which Are the Most Popular NHL Teams in Canada?

According to Ozoon Sportsbook data, the three most popular NHL teams in Canada are:

• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Montreal Canadiens
• Edmonton Oilers

Part of the “Original Six”, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have the biggest fanbases in Canada. The majority of Toronto’s fans are in Ontario, while Montreal’s are Quebec-based and in many parts of Atlantic Canada.

Since the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl era began, Edmonton has seen significant growth in their fanbase and are arguably the third-most popular team in Canada at this time. Back-to-back appearances at the Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025 helped establish them as a dominant force in the NHL.

Which NHL Teams Are the Most Popular in Canada Right Now?

Toronto

Even with the Maple Leafs sitting out of the postseason, they’re the most popular team in Canada thanks to a long era of dominance early on and comprehensive media coverage.

Montreal

The Canadiens recently completed a rebuild that has brought them back to the NHL postseason with a youthful roster led by captain Nick Suzuki. Consistent goaltending by rookie netminder Jakub Dobes has given them a boost.

Edmonton

The Oilers return to the postseason for a seventh straight year with the league’s top point producer, Connor McDavid; they are true Stanley Cup contenders.

Vancouver

After hitting rock bottom this season, the Canucks are on the lookout for a new general manager and are hoping to land the top draft pick.

The Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames are also popular Canadian franchises, albeit with smaller regional followings. Across the border, Colorado draws in more and more Canadian fans every year with strong postseason success.

Why Are Certain NHL Teams More Popular Than Others?

Some teams sell out tickets for home games while others struggle to reach capacity. Here are a few factors that influence a team’s popularity.

Do Historic Teams Have More Fans?

Developing a big fanbase takes time, and historic teams have that advantage. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens were part of the NHL’s Original Six and have had the benefit of seeing their fanbases grow with multi-generational allegiance. Even the rivalry between Montreal and Toronto is of cultural importance in Anglo-Franco Canada.

How Much Do Star Players Influence Popularity?

Every time a team features a star player, they enjoy a boost in popularity. The Edmonton Oilers became Canadian icons when they drafted Connor McDavid, while the Toronto Maple Leafs enjoyed the same boost with Auston Matthews a year later. These players drum up more betting on the Toronto and Edmonton Oilers player props pages.

Does Winning Affect Popularity?

There’s no denying the positive correlation between winning and popularity in the NHL. When a team is hot, fans show up in droves and fill arenas. Many new fans hop on the bandwagon and join the masses to see a team dominate in the postseason, becoming lifelong fans in the process.

How Does the Stanley Cup Playoffs Impact Team Popularity?

As with any sport, the stakes are highest in NHL during the postseason, and that level of intensity draws in die-hard fans and casual fans alike. Sportsbooks get far more betting action this time of year compared to the regular season, especially when the Stanley Cup Finals draw near.

Canada has experienced a Stanley Cup drought for 36 years; that reality means the nation gets behind whichever Canadian team is still in contention. Many fans of various teams tuned into Edmonton’s finals series against Florida, hoping that the Canadian team would bring home the hardware that has eluded us for quite some time.

• The last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup were the Montreal Canadiens in 1993

When Canadian teams reach the finals, the momentum can be seen in Canadian sportsbooks. People want to bet on player props, such as playoff MVP performances, on top of the regular straight bets. Knowing how playoffs work is the first step to placing a sharp bet.

Which Canadian NHL Teams Lead in Fan Support?

With seven teams to choose from, we’ve determined which have the most Canadian support.

Why Are the Toronto Maple Leafs So Popular?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a historic franchise that dominated in the ‘30s and ‘40s, creating a solid fanbase in Ontario and beyond. The Auston Matthews-era has reignited fans who have been treated with nine straight postseason runs.

Why Are the Montreal Canadiens So Popular?

With 23 Stanley Cup wins to their name, the Montreal Canadiens have enjoyed even more success than the Maple Leafs. Anytime they meet the Leafs in a rivalry matchup—the betting markets heat up.

Why Are the Edmonton Oilers Gaining Attention?

The Edmonton Oilers enjoyed immediate success when they joined the NHL in the ‘80s thanks to Wayne Gretzky. Now they have another generational player in Connor McDavid, and a rich history of playoff overtime moments to match. 

Are the Vancouver Canucks Rising in Popularity?

The Vancouver Canucks just wrapped up one of their worst seasons in recent memory, making them one of the most chaotic fanbases in the NHL. With a rich draft pool in 2026, they’ll be well-positioned to grab some much-needed talent to spark a rebuild.

What About Smaller Market Canadian Teams?

The Winnipeg Jets had a good stretch of postseason success from 2018 to 2025 and went as far as the Conference Finals, establishing themselves as a dominant force in the Central Division.

Are U.S. NHL Teams Popular Among Canadian Fans?

US NHL teams are definitely popular with Canadian fans, especially for betting purposes. Two factors that help are:

• Team Strength
• Team Location

A team’s success triggers more fans to join the momentum, and that can be for loyalty reasons or simply for betting value. Canadians are shrewd sports bettors and often back teams in a rational way. There were definitely Canadians backing the Colorado Avalanche at last year’s Stanley Cup Finals (Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers)—and they were paid after the Avs successfully defended their title. Team location is just as important. Teams that border Canada are likely to have Canadian followings. The Boston Bruins have a big fanbase in Atlantic Canada—much of whom bet on Boston over Vancouver at the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals (Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks). They too would have been paid out.

How Does Team Popularity Influence NHL Betting Trends?

Anytime you bet on a game that features a popular team, you have an opportunity to be strategic with timing your bet. Public bias attracts heavier betting volume, so if you intend to bet on the popular team too, you should get your money in before the masses. Once that public money rolls in, the odds shift; the popular favourite’s odds tighten, while the underdog’s odds lengthen to encourage more betting.

• Learn more about timing your bets in our NHL Betting Guide.

On the flip side, the underdog usually has better value in these scenarios—especially underdogs with small regional fanbases. If you intend to bet on one, you could wait until the public money comes in, and then jump on the longer odds. Remember: There’s popular money and there’s sharp value—knowing the difference can give you an edge.

What Should Fans Watch Ahead of the Next Stanley Cup Run?

For even more of an edge, watch for the following signs that could impact how deep a team will go in the postseason.

• Form

Watch for teams that end the regular season on a tear. That kind of momentum can carry them through a postseason and surprise everyone. Just ask the 2019 St. Louis Blues.

• Injuries

An injured star player—or even worse, starting goalie—can derail a team’s playoff ambitions at the drop of a hat.

• Goaltending

Strong goaltending is critical for postseason success, and regular season success doesn’t always translate to the postseason. Check a goalie’s postseason stats to know for sure.

With this in mind, you can make informed bets on the NHL playoff race and awards race right here at Ozoon Sportsbook.

Most Popular NHL Teams FAQ