Not All Canadian Hockey Fans Backed Habs During Improbable Playoff Run, Poll Suggests

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup after the team's 1–0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Tampa, Fla., on July 7, 2021. Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP

TAMPA, Fla.—Having a team in the Stanley Cup final can’t help Canada bridge its regional divisions.

Not everyone north of the border was backing the Montreal Canadiens as they tried in vain to deny the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning a second straight skate around the ice with hockey’s most cherished prize.