Canadian NHL Playoff Watch: Canadiens Are In, Oilers Are Close, and the Rest of Canada Is Feeling the Heat
The Montreal Canadiens are the first Canadian team to officially punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and that matters on two fronts for bettors. First, it gives Canada its first confirmed postseason entry. Second, it shows just how split the Canadian market is right now: one team is safely in, one is nearly there, one is hanging on, and the rest are either chasing hard or already finished. Montreal clinched its berth after Detroit lost on Sunday, leaving the Canadiens at 45-22-10 with 100 points.
For betting purposes, Montreal’s playoff market is essentially closed. Bet365’s Canadian playoff board listed the Canadiens’ “to make playoffs” price as off the board on April 6, which is what you expect once a berth is locked up. The more interesting number now is futures value: Montreal was listed at +2500 to win the Stanley Cup and +1100 to win the Eastern Conference. That tells you the market sees the Canadiens as a legitimate playoff team, but not yet one of the true monsters at the top of the board.
Edmonton is the best Canadian bet still working toward a clinch. The Oilers are 39-29-9 with 87 points and remain tied with Anaheim for the Pacific lead, while Vegas sits one point back. The playoff market for Edmonton is also effectively off the board at bet365, a sign books see the Oilers as all but in. More important for futures bettors, Edmonton is the top-priced Canadian Cup team at +1200 and +600 to win the Western Conference. In plain language, the books still see Edmonton as Canada’s best shot at a deep spring run.
Ottawa is where the betting board gets interesting. The Senators moved back into the second Eastern wild-card spot with Sunday’s 6-3 win over Carolina and now sit at 40-27-10. Bet365 had Ottawa at -150 to make the playoffs on April 6, with +1100 to win the East and +2200 to win the Stanley Cup. That is the market saying the Sens are slightly more likely than not to get in, but still far from secure. For bettors, Ottawa is the classic bubble-team play: live, dangerous, but one bad week from being on the wrong side of the cut line.
Winnipeg still has life, but the market does not like its chances. The Jets are 33-31-12 with 78 points, three back of Nashville for the final Western wild-card slot. Bet365 had Winnipeg at +1700 to make the playoffs, and its Stanley Cup price sat around +50000. That is longshot territory in every sense. Yes, the Jets are still alive on the ice. But the betting market is telling you clearly that it would take a serious late charge and help from others for Winnipeg to get through the door.
Calgary is even closer to the edge. The Flames improved to 32-36-8 by beating Anaheim on Saturday and, in the NHL’s own playoff-race update, were described as having avoided elimination while still sitting on the verge of being knocked out. Sportsbooks see the same picture. One current market source listed Calgary at -10000 to miss the playoffs, while Canadian Stanley Cup futures had the Flames down at +500000. That is a betting market with almost no faith left. Calgary is technically breathing, but the books are treating the Flames like a team already halfway out the door.
Toronto and Vancouver are done. The Maple Leafs were officially eliminated after their loss to San Jose, ending their playoff streak, while the Canucks were knocked out earlier and will miss for a second straight year. On bet365’s Canadian playoff board, both teams were listed as off the board for playoff qualification as of April 6, which fits with their eliminated status. For bettors, there is no playoff chase left here, only offseason futures and draft-position talk.
So here is the BetNewsUpdate bottom line. Montreal is in. Edmonton is close and still Canada’s strongest futures play. Ottawa is the best Canadian bubble bet on the board. Winnipeg is still alive, but priced like a prayer. Calgary is nearly finished. Toronto and Vancouver are already on the golf course. The odds below are in American format and reflect sportsbook listings current to April 6, so they can move fast from here.
