More than half of Saskatchewan hockey fans want to see Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup: Angus Reid

Edmonton Oilers' Matt Savoie (22) celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during first period NHL action, in Edmonton on Thursday April 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Saskatchewan may not have an NHL team of its own, but it sure has its own opinions on which Canadian team should win the Stanley Cup.

According to new data released by polling firm Angus Reid, 59 per cent of Saskatchewan residents surveyed say they’re excited to watch the playoffs.

Of the three Canadian teams in the playoffs, 54 per cent of Saskatchewan residents surveyed said they wanted the Edmonton Oilers to raise the Stanley Cup when it’s all said and done.

The second largest contingent is hopeful for the Habs, with 13 per cent backing the Montreal Canadiens.

In third, the Ottawa Senators at four per cent – just above the three per cent that chose ‘none’.

The final 27 per cent said they don’t care about hockey at all.

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When asked about playoff hype and excitement, the largest group of Saskatchewan fans were lukewarm on this year’s lineup, while just over a third said they were excited and the rest didn’t care about the playoffs or hockey in general.

Regardless of who they cheer for – Saskatchewan fans are generally good sports – with 66 per cent saying that they generally want Canada’s teams to succeed if their team is eliminated. The rest said it’s more complicated due to rivalry considerations.

As for which team Saskatchewan thinks has the best shot at breaking Canada’s Stanley Cup-less streak that dates back to 1993? The Edmonton Oilers also lead the pack in that category this year, out of all seven Canadian teams.

The Montreal Canadiens were again listed in second place – but 30 percentage points behind the Oilers.

Less Saskatchewan people think the Ottawa Senators could break the losing streak than other Canadian teams that missed the playoffs entirely – despite Ottawa being in the mix. That could be chalked up to other loyalties, as the Senators have the smallest Saskatchewan fanbase of any Canadian team.

Here is the Saskatchewan fanbase breakdown, beyond the teams that made the playoffs:

1. Edmonton Oilers – 33 per cent
2. Toronto Maple Leafs – 20 per cent
3. Winnipeg Jets – 13 per cent
4. Calgary Flames – 9 per cent
5. Montreal Canadiens – 8 per cent
6. Vancouver Canucks – 4 per cent
7. Ottawa Senators – 3 per cent

• Don’t cheer for a specific Canadian team – 10 per cent

The national survey spoke to 109 people in Saskatchewan out of 1,385 total random participants from the Angus Reid Forum across Canada between April 15 and 16, 2026.

The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of plus/minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The full results can be seen here.