How many Canadian teams make the NHL playoffs

Hockey fans across Canada have plenty to cheer about. Five Canadian teams made the 2025 NHL playoffs, marking the strongest showing since 2020. So how many Canadian teams are in the NHL playoffs this year? The answer is five, and it's the most in a 16-team playoff format since 2017. This signals a major resurgence for hockey north of the border.

The five Canadian teams making the playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs led the Atlantic Division with 108 points and earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators both grabbed wild card spots in the East, showing unexpected strength down the stretch. Out West, the Winnipeg Jets dominated the Central Division and won the Presidents' Trophy with an impressive 116 points. The Edmonton Oilers rounded out the group, securing a playoff spot from the Pacific Division. Pretty solid lineup, honestly.

Why all three Eastern Canadian teams together matters

For the first time since 2017, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa qualified for the playoffs in the same season. That's eight years of waiting for this moment. All three teams competing together reflects something special happening in Eastern Canadian hockey right now (and fans are definitley noticing). Fans in these cities get to follow their teams deep into spring and beyond. The rivalry between these franchises makes every playoff matchup feel personal and intense. When multiple teams compete at this level simultaneously, Canadian hockey culture really thrives.

How far did Canadian teams go?

The Edmonton Oilers made the deepest run, reaching the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Florida Panthers. That Finals appearance gave Canadian hockey fans an exciting storyline and proud moment. Toronto and Winnipeg both delivered strong regular seasons that set them up for playoff sucess. The presence of five Canadian teams throughout the postseason created constant coverage and excitement across the country. Whether teams won or lost, Canadian representation stayed strong in every round. This depth of talent demonstrates the overall health of hockey in Canada.