The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Manitoba is celebrating one of its own after Zach Whitecloud of the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup.

Canada is still awaiting its next Stanley Cup champions. Friday marks three decades since the Habs celebrated that victory on a sweltering night at the Montreal Forum.

The NHL is full of a ton of stories, making this off-season one of the most prolific in recent memory, and it's many of those stories that have kept Canadians interested.

This finals appearance is different, as the Golden Knights are the favourites this time around over the underdog Florida Panthers — and they understand expectations have changed.

In the 13 previous games where a series has come to an end in this spring's playoffs, nine have been settled by one-goal margins, six of them in overtime.

As the final begins, coaches around the NHL are probably going to feel some heat, if for no other reason than owners want to win, and win now.

After all, these playoffs have been anything but predictable, with upsets aplenty and controversial officiating making for some riveting viewing.

After taking a step back in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl say it's "(Stanley) Cup or bust'' for the Oilers going forward.

Edmonton's loss officially extended the drought for a Canadian team winning the Cup to 30 years since Montreal won in 1993.

This spring, the narrative coming out of the self-proclaimed 'center of the hockey universe' is very similar to what we have been hearing in this market since the Jets' early exit.