Habs Have Great White North Filled With Hope for End of Cup Drought

Montreal looks to melt away 33 years of Canadian Stanley Cup frustration as surprise run in Eastern Conference continues.

Josh Anderson #17 of the Montréal Canadiens celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 23, 2026. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Montreal Canadiens have become the Great White North’s hope.

A 33-year Stanley Cup drought can do that to a country. The Habs are showing the grit and determination that often make up championship runs. They outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, winning 2–1 on Alex Newhook’s late tally. Newhook came back in Game 7 against the favored Buffalo Sabres with an overtime snipe to clinch their matchup in that second-round series.